The Secrets Behind Psychics: Cold Reading and Hot Reading

🔮Psychics use cold reading to make high probability guesses and make it seem like they have supernatural abilities.

🔎Psychics may also use hot reading, where they do prior research on the subject, to gather information and make specific guesses.

🤔Psychics rely on people's responses and nonverbal cues to narrow down their guesses and create the illusion of accuracy.

💰The psychic industry is estimated to be a $2.2 billion industry, and predatory behavior has been reported.

😮Many people believe in psychics, with 4 in 10 Americans believing in their abilities, regardless of their accuracy.

What is cold reading?

—Cold reading is a technique used by psychics to make high probability guesses and create the illusion of supernatural abilities.

What is hot reading?

—Hot reading is a technique where psychics do prior research on their subjects, gathering information that they can use to make specific guesses.

How do psychics narrow down their guesses?

—Psychics rely on people's responses and nonverbal cues to narrow down their guesses, making them seem more accurate.

Is the psychic industry reputable?

—The psychic industry is estimated to be a $2.2 billion industry, but there are reports of predatory behavior and scams.

Do many people believe in psychics?

—Approximately 4 in 10 Americans believe in psychic abilities, regardless of their accuracy or lack thereof.

00:03Psychics often display misplaced confidence and appear frequently on daytime TV.

02:53Psychics use techniques like cold reading and hot reading to create the illusion of supernatural abilities.

08:40Cold reading involves making high probability guesses, while hot reading involves prior research on the subject.

10:53Psychics' techniques can be surprisingly effective, even fooling smart individuals like Matt Lauer.

11:29Psychics may claim to offer solace and healing, but their methods prey on vulnerable individuals.