Getting Colder Revisited

By: Sam Little

We looked at cold readings in a previous article I wrote some time back. For those who don't remember the cold reading is a technique fake psychics use to acquire info from their clients by way of body language and observation. I am always reading on paranormal topics and recently came across a list of rules that apply to the cold reading and I felt these rules would add to the article I wrote previously as well as give you more knowledge on the matter. These rules were comprised by Ray Hyman. These rules are what many have used to beat the fake psychic at their own game. These are the rules these so called psychics use to dupe people. They are as follows:

1. Be confident
2. Use statistics, polls, and surveys to make intelligent guesses about your client based on their demographic and sociaoeconimical characteristics. (age, place of birth, occupation, etc.)
3. Profess Modesty
4. Gain the client's confidence and cooperation
5. Use a gimmick such as tea leaves or tarot cards. They provide technical plausibility while acting as a distraction
6. Use familiar phrases. Example: I see troubled waters ahead, or I see a new person in your life.
7. Keep your wits about you. Home in on what the client wants
8. Use the fishing technique. After every statement you make wait for a reaction and use that reaction to learn more.
9. Be a good listener
10. Be dramatic
11. Act as if you know more than you are actually telling. This makes you look wise.
12. Flatter whenever possible
13. Always tell them what they want to hear.