Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Psychometry

Psychometry is a purported form of extrasensory perception in which an individual claims to obtain information about an object, its history, or its previous owners through physical contact, such as touching or holding the item, often described as a type of clairvoyance facilitated by handling.^[1] The term derives from the Greek words psyche (soul) and metron (measure), reflecting its original conceptualization as a method to "measure" psychic impressions absorbed by objects.^[1] The concept originated in the mid-19th century, coined around 1842 by American physician and professor Joseph Rodes Buchanan, who founded psychometry as a "science of soul measuring" linked to phrenology and emerging spiritualism, positing that sensitive individuals—particularly women—could detect subtle energies or impressions from objects to reveal character or past events.^[2] Buchanan conducted early experiments, such as having subjects identify substances or read sealed letters by touch, and published key works like Manual of Psychometry: The Dawn of a New Civilization in 1885, influencing later proponents including William and Elizabeth Denton, who applied it to geological and historical inquiries.^[1] By the late 19th century, psychometry gained traction among spiritualists and was investigated by organizations like the Society for Psychical Research, with figures such as Edmund Gurney and William James exploring its potential in mediumship and psychometric readings.^[1] In the 20th century, parapsychological studies continued, including tests of mediums like Heinrich Pagenstecher in the 1920s and experiments in the 1960s–1980s by researchers such as William G. Roll and Charles Tart, some of which reported anecdotal successes but lacked rigorous controls.^[1] Recent surveys, such as a 2024 mixed-methods study, have examined subjective experiences of psychometry among self-reported practitioners, finding correlations with heightened empathy, anomalous sensations like ASMR, and vivid imagery or emotional impressions during object interaction, though these remain unverified by empirical standards.^[1] Mainstream science has consistently failed to validate psychometry through controlled testing, attributing reported successes to psychological mechanisms like cold reading, confirmation bias, and suggestibility, classifying it as a pseudoscience within the broader field of parapsychology.^[3]

Definition and Principles

Core Concept

Psychometry, derived from the Greek words psychē (soul or mind) and metron (measure), is a purported form of extrasensory perception in parapsychology whereby an individual, known as a psychometrist, acquires knowledge about an object's history, its previous owners, or associated events through physical contact or close proximity to the object, also known as token-object reading or object reading.^[1]^[4] This ability is thought to involve the psychometrist tuning into subtle psychic energies or impressions left on the object, often described as a type of clairvoyance limited to information accessible via tangible links.^[4]^[5] At its core, psychometry operates on the principle that inanimate objects can absorb and retain "psychic impressions" or traces of emotional and experiential energy from interactions with people or environments, which a sensitive individual can then interpret.^[1]^[4] These impressions may reveal types of information such as past events (e.g., significant incidents like thefts or travels), emotional states (e.g., joy, grief, or trauma), or identities (e.g., characteristics or appearances of former owners).^[4]^[5] The practice distinguishes between object psychometry, focused on inanimate items like tools or artifacts that hold environmental or usage histories, and person psychometry, which targets personal belongings such as jewelry or clothing to access details about the individual's life or personality.^[4] Psychometrists typically experience these impressions through sensory-like modalities, including visual flashes of scenes or images, emotional surges mirroring past feelings, auditory sensations such as voices or sounds, or even olfactory cues evoking smells tied to the object's context.^[5]^[4] For instance, touching a vintage watch might evoke a sudden vision of its owner in a specific location, accompanied by a feeling of urgency or a faint echo of conversation.^[5] This process emphasizes direct interaction with the object as the conduit for accessing otherwise hidden knowledge.^[1]

Distinctions from Similar Abilities

Psychometry is distinguished from other forms of extrasensory perception (ESP) primarily by its reliance on physical contact with an object as a conduit for information, setting it apart from abilities that operate through mental or sensory channels without such interaction. Unlike telepathy, which involves direct mind-to-mind communication of thoughts or feelings, psychometry requires handling an object to access impressions of its history, owners, or associated events. Similarly, clairvoyance typically entails perceiving distant or hidden information visually or intuitively without a physical intermediary, whereas psychometry uses the object itself as a link to reveal past details through tactile engagement. Retrocognition, the ability to perceive past events, overlaps conceptually with psychometry's focus on historical knowledge but does not necessitate object contact; retrocognition can occur spontaneously or through visualization alone, while psychometry is object-mediated and often yields specific, contextual impressions tied to the item's provenance.^[4]^[6] Although psychometry can incorporate elements of clairsentience—the intuitive sensing of emotions, energies, or atmospheres—it remains object-focused, deriving its impressions from the perceived residual "vibrations" or imprints left on the item rather than from ambient or interpersonal feelings. This overlap arises because psychometric readings frequently include emotional or sensory details, such as a sense of joy or trauma associated with an object's past, but clairsentience operates more broadly without requiring a tangible anchor. In popular understanding, psychometry is sometimes misattributed or confused with dowsing, where practitioners use tools like rods to locate hidden objects or energies; however, dowsing seeks present or spatial information through ideomotor responses, not historical narratives via touch. These boundaries highlight psychometry's unique scope within ESP, emphasizing its tactile and historical orientation over remote or emotional generality.^[1]^[6] The term "psychometry" specifically denotes this measurement of soul-energy or psychic imprints on matter, evolving from its 19th-century origins to underscore the object's role as a repository of past human interactions. Coined in 1842 by Joseph Rodes Buchanan, it derives from the Greek "psyche" (soul or spirit) and "metron" (measure), reflecting the idea of gauging spiritual residues absorbed by physical items during emotional or significant events. This etymological foundation reinforces psychometry's distinction as an object-centric ability, avoiding conflation with non-material psychic processes.^[4]^[7]

Historical Development

Origins in the 19th Century

Psychometry emerged in the mid-19th century as a purported psychic ability to discern information about an object's history or its owner's experiences through physical contact, rooted in the era's fascination with occult sciences. The term was coined in 1842 by Joseph Rodes Buchanan, an American physician and professor of physiology, who defined it as the "measuring of the soul" from Greek roots psyche (soul) and metron (measure), describing the process of reading emanations or "soul records" imprinted on objects.^[8] This concept arose amid the burgeoning American interest in mesmerism and phrenology, predating the formal spiritualist movement but aligning with its emphasis on unseen forces and human potential. Buchanan first detailed psychometry in his 1842 publication Sketches of Buchanan's Discoveries in Neurology, with further development published in his 1849 Journal of Man, marking an early public exposition of the idea as a scientific and philosophical pursuit.^[9] Buchanan's foundational experiments began in 1841 in Little Rock, Arkansas, where he explored brain impressibility by using a "nervauric fluid"—a radiated nervous force—to stimulate specific cerebral organs through touch, demonstrating selective excitation without traditional sensory input. By autumn 1842 in New York, he expanded these trials with medical students, providing them sealed letters or personal items to hold, from which they reportedly gleaned hidden details about the senders' characters, locations, or events without prior knowledge. For instance, students touching an unopened letter from General Andrew Jackson described impressions of his bold personality and military background, illustrating psychometry's claimed ability to access past psychic impressions. These tests emphasized innate human sensibility over trance states, positioning psychometry as an accessible extension of natural perception.^[8]^[9] The development drew heavily from phrenology, which mapped personality to cranial features, and mesmerism, or animal magnetism, which posited invisible vital forces influencing the body and mind. Buchanan critiqued phrenology's reliance on skull examination as imprecise, proposing psychometry as a superior method for directly accessing cerebral functions and soul imprints, while adapting mesmerism's energy concepts into his nervauric theory without inducing hypnotic states. This synthesis reflected the 19th-century quest to bridge empirical science with metaphysical inquiry, influencing early spiritualist practices though Buchanan's work remained distinct in its experimental focus.^[8]

Expansion and Key Milestones

Following its initial conceptualization in the mid-19th century, psychometry gained broader traction in the late 19th century through the efforts of proponents like William and Elizabeth M. F. Denton. In the 1860s, the American geologist William Denton and his wife conducted experiments where subjects, often family members, held geological specimens or historical artifacts and described associated past events or environments, as detailed in their publication The Soul of Things (1863). This work extended psychometry beyond personal items to scientific applications, such as "reading" fossils to reveal ancient histories, influencing spiritualist and esoteric circles.^[10] Psychometry further gained institutional adoption by the Society for Psychical Research (SPR), founded in 1882 in Britain to systematically investigate psychic phenomena, including object reading.^[11] The SPR's early proceedings documented cases and experiments involving psychometry, integrating it into their empirical framework for studying extrasensory perception.^[4] British journalist and SPR affiliate William T. Stead further advanced its spread through personal experiments and publications in his magazine Borderland, where he explored psychometry as a form of divination via material objects, often linking it to spiritualist practices.^[12]^[13] In the early 20th century, particularly after World War I, psychometry became incorporated into emerging parapsychology studies, shifting from anecdotal reports to more structured inquiries amid a postwar surge in interest in survival and psychic abilities.^[14] By the 1930s, it achieved notable popularity within occult circles, influenced by Theosophical writings such as C.W. Leadbeater's Clairvoyance (first published 1899, with expanded editions in the 1920s and 1930s), which detailed psychometry as a method for reading auras and past events imprinted on objects.^[15] Leadbeater's work, disseminated through Theosophical societies, popularized psychometry as an accessible intuitive practice, blending it with clairvoyant techniques and contributing to its appeal in esoteric communities.^[16] Mid-20th-century developments saw psychometry adapted for laboratory settings, notably through the efforts of J.B. Rhine at the Institute for Parapsychology (founded 1962 in Durham, North Carolina), where 1960s experiments tested it alongside other extrasensory perception modalities, including informal sessions incorporating psychedelics to enhance object-reading accuracy.^[17]^[18] By the 1970s, psychometry integrated into the burgeoning New Age movement, which emphasized personal psychic development and holistic spirituality, fostering workshops and literature that framed it as a tool for self-discovery and healing.^[19]^[20] A wave of scientific skepticism in the post-1980s era contributed to a decline in mainstream acceptance of psychometry, with critics highlighting methodological flaws and lack of replicable evidence in parapsychological research.^[21] This period saw increased scrutiny from organizations like the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, diminishing institutional support. However, a resurgence occurred in the 1990s amid renewed interest in holistic therapies, where psychometry reemerged in alternative healing practices and popular psychic training programs, often as a complementary technique in energy work and intuitive counseling.^[16]^[20]

Methods and Techniques

Basic Procedures

Psychometry sessions typically begin with thorough preparation to ensure clarity and minimize external influences. The psychometrist selects a quiet, secluded environment free from disturbances such as light, sound, or skeptical observers, often working in small groups or alone to foster focus. Sensitive individuals, identified by their acute susceptibility to stimuli like a hand held near the forehead, are chosen as psychometrists, with an emphasis on those possessing intellectual endowments and delicate temperaments. Grounding techniques involve relaxation and passive yielding to impressions, akin to entering an interior state of consciousness without forcing visions or using mesmeric influences. Objects, such as autographs, letters, or personal items, are carefully selected to be neutral and concealed from the psychometrist to avoid bias or prior knowledge, ensuring they are free from adventitious influences that could confound readings.^[22] The core procedure centers on physical contact with the object to access psychic impressions imprinted upon it. The psychometrist holds the object in their hands or places it on the forehead. Impressions are allowed to flow naturally and intuitively, with the psychometrist reporting sensations, character traits, emotions, scenes, or events as they arise without analytical interference. This passive reception may involve visualizing the object's history or the associated person's life, starting with vague feelings that refine over time. Recording occurs immediately, either verbally during the session or in writing for later review, capturing details like health conditions, past events, or future predictions. Non-leading questions can clarify impressions, such as inquiring about character or emotions, but the process relies on the object's residual energy rather than external prompting.^[22] Sessions are structured for efficiency and progression, with brief durations recommended to prevent fatigue, though multiple objects can be handled sequentially, beginning with familiar or medicinal items to test impressibility before advancing to unknown subjects. Impressions unfold panoramically, often starting with contact and observation of initial agitation, then building to detailed descriptions. A post-session debrief involves reviewing and interpreting recordings for consistency, adjusting early conclusions, and verifying salient points against known facts when possible. This step-by-step flow maintains judicial precision in reporting.^[22] Safety considerations are essential, particularly for beginners, to prevent physical or emotional strain. Psychometrists avoid objects associated with diseased or morbid conditions, as these can induce harmful sympathetic effects or overload the sensitive's system. Session duration and frequency are limited to avert fatigue, overexertion, or loss of self-control, with techniques like dispersing influences through manipulation recommended afterward. Emotional overwhelm is mitigated by protecting sensitives from harsh objects and maintaining a natural state, free from somnambulism or imaginative excitement that could lead to deception.^[22]

Variations and Advanced Practices

In psychometry, practitioners often adapt the core method of touching objects to specific types, tailoring the approach to the item's nature and intended insights. For personal history, jewelry such as rings or necklaces is commonly used, as these items absorb prolonged intimate contact with their owners, revealing emotional imprints or life events associated with the wearer.^[23] In contrast, environmental psychometry involves interacting with locations, such as touching walls or floors in buildings, to access collective historical events or residual energies tied to the site, distinguishing it from object-focused readings by emphasizing spatial rather than individual imprints.^[23]^[24] Advanced techniques build on foundational holding procedures by incorporating altered states and collaborative elements to deepen impressions. Combining psychometry with trance states allows practitioners to enter a relaxed, subconscious mode that facilitates clearer recall of sensory data, as demonstrated by historical figures like Douglas Johnson, who used trance to enhance object readings.^[23]^[25] Practitioners may read multiple related objects, such as family heirlooms, to trace interconnected histories and gain cumulative insights beyond single-item readings.^[26] Group sessions enable collective impressions, where participants share an object or set of items in a mediated circle, pooling intuitive responses to construct a broader narrative, as explored in structured group psychometry practices that foster shared energy amplification.^[27] Tool integration enhances focus and sensitivity in experienced practice. Crystals serve as amplifiers by holding and channeling vibrational energies, aiding practitioners in attuning to subtle object imprints during readings, particularly when paired with meditative preparation.^[28] Digital adaptations, such as remote psychometry via photographs, extend the practice non-traditionally by visualizing or holding images to access associated energies without physical proximity, though this is debated among purists for lacking direct tactile connection.^[24]^[25] Ethical guidelines emphasize responsibility in application. Consent is essential when reading personal items, as these may reveal private emotional or historical details, requiring explicit permission to respect individual privacy and avoid unintended intrusion.^[29]^[30] Practitioners are cautioned about applications in investigative contexts like law enforcement, given the unverifiable nature of impressions and potential for misinterpretation.^[24]^[25]

Scientific Perspectives

Empirical Studies and Evidence

Empirical investigations into psychometry, often termed token-object reading in parapsychological literature, have primarily involved controlled experiments where participants attempt to identify or describe information associated with hidden or unfamiliar objects through touch or proximity. Early efforts focused on qualitative impressions, while later studies incorporated quantitative scoring and statistical analysis to assess performance against chance expectations. These experiments typically employ randomization of objects, blind evaluation of responses, and scoring based on accuracy in identifying attributes such as ownership, location, or events linked to the item.^[31] Pioneering work in the mid-19th century was conducted by American physician Joseph Rodes Buchanan, who coined the term "psychometry" and conducted initial experiments with medical students at the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati around 1842-1843. In these tests, participants reportedly read impressions from sealed letters and substances, describing the writer's character or the material's origin with claimed accuracies exceeding chance, though without modern controls like double-blinding. Buchanan's findings, detailed in the 1893 edition of his manual (originally published 1885), suggested psychometry as a latent human faculty, influencing subsequent parapsychological inquiry.^[31]^[32] In the 1930s, J.B. Rhine's Parapsychology Laboratory at Duke University extended experimental parapsychology to broader extrasensory perception (ESP) phenomena, including elements akin to psychometry through object identification tasks. Rhine's team used hidden objects in card-guessing variants and concealed item tests, reporting hit rates approximately 25-30% (5-10% above chance) in aggregate ESP trials, though specific psychometry protocols emphasized clairvoyant detection rather than historical impressions. These studies introduced rigorous methodologies, such as randomized presentation and statistical evaluation via z-scores, establishing a foundation for later object-reading research.^[17]^[33] Mid-20th-century research in the Soviet Union, documented in declassified intelligence reports, included parapsychological investigations into ESP and related phenomena during the 1960s and 1970s. Controlled trials at various institutions explored subjects' abilities to glean information paranormally, often state-funded for potential military applications, though replication challenges persisted and specific psychometry protocols were not prominently detailed.^[34]^[35] Modern empirical work, particularly from the 2000s onward, has featured targeted psychometry experiments by researchers like Alejandro Parra. In a 2007 study comparing self-identified psychics (n=20) and non-psychics (n=63) in face-to-face and remote token-object reading conditions, participants evaluated personal items from unknown sitters under double-blind protocols, with objects coded anonymously and responses scored for accuracy in identifying attributes like emotions or events. Psychics achieved hit rates significantly above chance (p=0.03), outperforming non-psychics who scored at expectation levels, though face-to-face sessions raised concerns about subtle sensory cues.^[36] Meta-analyses of parapsychological research, including ESP domains relevant to psychometry, have been conducted by the Parapsychological Association and affiliates. A 2006 review of non-ganzfeld psi experiments (108 studies) reported small but consistent effects (effect size ~0.20, p<0.001), encompassing object-related tasks, while a 2025 comprehensive synthesis of multiple meta-analyses affirmed overall support for psi hypotheses across modalities, though psychometry-specific subsets showed variability due to methodological differences. Post-2010 neuroimaging efforts in related anomalous cognition, such as fMRI during object-handling tasks, have explored brain correlates but revealed no consistent patterns distinguishing claimed psi effects from baseline imagination or memory activation. A 2024 mixed-methods study examined subjective experiences of psychometry among self-reported practitioners, finding correlations with heightened empathy and anomalous sensations, though these remain unverified by empirical standards.^[37]^[38]^[1]

Criticisms and Explanations

The scientific consensus views psychometry as a pseudoscientific claim lacking reproducible empirical evidence, with mainstream organizations such as the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) rejecting it as incompatible with established principles of physics and psychology.^[39] Parapsychological investigations into psychometry have consistently failed to demonstrate abilities beyond chance levels under controlled conditions, as evidenced by a 1979 Los Angeles Police Department study where psychic predictions performed no better than random guesses.^[40] Common criticisms highlight methodological flaws that undermine psychometry demonstrations, including the use of cold reading techniques where practitioners observe subtle cues from the object handler, such as body language or verbal responses, to generate plausible impressions.^[39]^[40] Confirmation bias further contributes, as participants and interpreters selectively remember and emphasize vague or ambiguous statements that align with known facts while dismissing inaccuracies.^[39] Additionally, psychometry claims often fail in rigorous testing environments that prevent sensory leakage or prior knowledge, such as a 1991 evaluation of British psychic Nella Jones, who could not accurately "read" murder weapons without uncontrolled influences.^[40] Alternative explanations for reported psychometry experiences rely on natural psychological and perceptual processes rather than paranormal mechanisms. Subconscious cues from an object's physical characteristics, like wear patterns or residue indicating usage, can subconsciously inform intuitive guesses about its history.^[39] The ideomotor effect may also play a role, where unconscious muscle movements during object handling subtly influence perceptions or interpretations without conscious awareness.^[39] Cases of apparent success are frequently attributable to fraud, including access to hidden information through research or accomplices (stooges) who provide confirmatory details covertly.^[39]^[3] Ethical concerns arise from psychometry's potential for exploitation, particularly in therapeutic or investigative contexts where practitioners may prey on vulnerable individuals seeking closure after loss, leading to financial or emotional harm through unsubstantiated promises.^[41] Such practices can exacerbate grief by fostering false hopes or dependency, prompting calls for regulatory oversight to protect those in distress from manipulative claims.^[40]

Notable Figures and Cases

Prominent Practitioners

Joseph Rodes Buchanan (1814–1899), an American physician and professor, is recognized as the pioneer of psychometry. He coined the term in 1842, deriving it from the Greek words psyche (soul) and metron (measure), to describe the supposed ability to discern an object's history or associated events through physical contact. Buchanan conducted extensive experiments at the Louisville Medical Institute, involving over 300 tests with students and subjects, where participants reportedly identified details about sealed letters and objects without prior knowledge. His findings advanced the field by establishing psychometry as a distinct psychic practice and influenced early spiritualism by linking it to broader explorations of human consciousness and neurology. Buchanan disseminated his ideas through the Journal of Man (1849–1855) and his seminal 1885 book, Manual of Psychometry: The Dawn of a New Civilization, which detailed experimental protocols and advocated for psychometry's integration into scientific inquiry.^[7]^[42]^[9] William Denton (1823–1883), an American geologist and spiritualist, was a key early proponent who expanded psychometry's applications. Along with his wife Elizabeth, he conducted experiments using objects like rocks and artifacts to reveal geological and historical information, publishing The Soul of Things in 1863, which documented psychometric explorations of ancient civilizations and natural history.^[43] Debra Lynn Katz, a contemporary practitioner and author active in the 2020s, has advanced psychometry through educational workshops and publications focused on intuitive development. As founder of the International School of Clairvoyance, she conducts online and in-person classes teaching psychometry alongside clairvoyance and remote viewing, drawing from her 28 years of experience to train students in object-based readings. Katz claims collaborations with law enforcement via remote viewing techniques that incorporate psychometric elements for missing persons cases, as outlined in her books such as You Are Psychic: The Art of Clairvoyant Reading and Healing (2004), which includes exercises for honing these skills. Her contributions have modernized psychometry by integrating it into structured training programs accessible worldwide.^[44]^[45]

Documented Examples

One notable historical demonstration of psychometry occurred in the 1920s under the supervision of physician Gustav Pagenstecher in Mexico, where medium María Reyes de Zierold conducted over 100 experiments involving objects such as garments and jewelry. In these sessions, reported in the proceedings of the American Society for Psychical Research, Reyes described past events and emotional states associated with the items, with many details verified against historical records and witness testimonies, illustrating psychometry's claimed application to uncovering hidden object histories.^[46] In the mid-20th century, Polish psychic Stefan Ossowiecki applied psychometry during World War II to assist families in Warsaw searching for missing soldiers and civilians, holding photographs or personal effects to discern their fates or locations. These unrecorded readings, conducted without charge, reportedly provided partial verifications in some instances, such as confirming deaths or general circumstances, though Ossowiecki sometimes withheld distressing details to offer comfort, as documented in parapsychological accounts of his wartime efforts.^[47] A modern example involves American psychic Noreen Renier, who in 1995 assisted Halifax Regional Police on the cold case of missing student Kimberly McAndrew from 1989 by handling personal items for psychometric impressions, suggesting leads on the body's possible location near water. While the tips contributed to renewed investigative focus, they remained unconfirmed by recovery, highlighting psychometry's occasional role in prompting police actions on longstanding cases.^[48] Outcomes in these examples vary, with many verified details in controlled experiments like Pagenstecher's, partial matches in Ossowiecki's humanitarian readings, and investigative utility in Renier's consultations despite lacking conclusive resolutions; such cases have influenced personal closure and occasional law enforcement strategies, though reliant on subjective interpretation.^[46]^[47]^[49]

Cultural and Modern Influence

Representation in Media

Psychometry, the purported psychic ability to glean information from objects through touch, has frequently appeared in literature as a means to explore themes of hidden knowledge and moral dilemma. In Stephen King's 1979 novel The Dead Zone, protagonist Johnny Smith emerges from a coma with psychometric powers, enabling him to receive visions of past events or future possibilities upon physical contact with people or items, which he employs to assist in crime-solving and avert disasters. This depiction draws inspirational parallels to deductive methods in earlier detective fiction, such as Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories, where keen observation of objects yields insights, though Holmes relies on rational analysis rather than supernatural intuition.^[50] In film, psychometry serves as a pivotal plot device in the 1983 adaptation of King's novel, directed by David Cronenberg, where Christopher Walken's portrayal of Smith highlights the isolating and prophetic nature of the power through scenes of tactile-induced revelations.^[51] Television portrayals often integrate psychometry into procedural dramas and supernatural series, emphasizing its utility in forensic-like scenarios. The NBC/CBS series Medium (2005–2011) features medium Allison DuBois, whose visions sometimes arise from handling personal effects, blending psychometry with clairvoyance to aid law enforcement in resolving crimes.^[52] This reflects a broader trend in episodic formats where the ability facilitates plot progression, as seen in Japanese anime like Psychometrer Eiji (1997–1999), where the lead character uses touch-based impressions to detect criminal histories embedded in objects.^[53] Over time, media tropes surrounding psychometry have evolved from mystical, otherworldly phenomena in classic literature to more grounded, forensic instruments in modern narratives, mirroring shifts in public fascination with pseudoscience alongside empirical investigation. For instance, guest appearances of psychics in shows like CSI episodes portray the ability as a supplementary tool to scientific methods, enhancing suspense while questioning its reliability. This evolution is evident in genre fiction, particularly urban fantasy, where psychometry empowers characters to navigate supernatural underworlds; Jennifer Estep's Mythos Academy series centers on Gwen Frost, a teenager whose psychometric gift reveals memories from artifacts, driving conflicts in a mythological academy setting.^[54] Media sensationalism in the 1970s amplified interest in psychometry amid a "psychic detective" boom, with publications and broadcasts sensationalizing its potential in real-world cases, influencing fictional works to romanticize it as an accessible supernatural aid. Colin Wilson's 1985 book The Psychic Detectives chronicles this era's surge, attributing heightened cultural attention to psychometry's role in crime detection through vivid case studies that inspired subsequent media portrayals.^[55]

Contemporary Applications and Beliefs

In contemporary holistic counseling, psychometry is integrated into sessions to aid clients in processing grief, particularly through the reading of personal heirlooms or objects associated with the deceased, which can surface suppressed emotions and promote emotional release. For instance, during informal psychic touch exercises, handling items like jewelry has been reported to evoke detailed impressions of past losses, allowing participants to confront and resolve lingering sorrow from events such as sudden deaths.^[23] This approach aligns with broader spiritual healing practices, where psychometry serves as a tactile tool for intuitive insight, though it remains supplementary to conventional therapy and is not endorsed by mainstream psychological organizations. In investigative contexts, psychometry and related psychic abilities continue to be consulted by some law enforcement agencies, including occasional collaborations with the FBI on cold cases post-2000. Former FBI Special Agent Robert Hilland partnered with psychic medium John Edward starting in the late 1990s and continuing through subsequent decades, using intuitive readings to generate leads in unsolved homicides, such as identifying potential locations or victim details that aligned with later evidence.^[56] Private detective services also incorporate psychometry, where practitioners offer object readings to clients seeking information on missing persons or lost items, often as a last-resort investigative aid outside official channels. Public belief in psi abilities, including those akin to psychometry such as telepathy and clairvoyance, persists at moderate levels, with a 2025 Gallup poll (conducted May 1–18) indicating 24% of U.S. adults believe in clairvoyance and 29% in telepathy.^[57] This represents a decline from earlier decades but is bolstered by the expansion of online communities and apps dedicated to psychic development, contributing to sustained interest; the U.S. online psychic reading market, which encompasses virtual psychometry sessions, grew to $0.3 billion by 2024 and is projected to reach $0.5 billion by 2031 at a 5.9% CAGR.^[58] Despite these applications, psychometry faces significant challenges, including legal restrictions that prohibit its use as evidential material in court due to the subjective and unverifiable nature of psychic impressions, which fail to meet standards like the Daubert criteria for scientific reliability.^[59] Additionally, contemporary practices often blend psychometry with mindfulness techniques, such as meditative focusing on object energies to enhance intuitive awareness, though this integration risks conflating unproven paranormal claims with evidence-based stress reduction methods.

References

[1]
Exploring the correlates and nature of subjective anomalous ... - NIH
Sep 2, 2024 · Psychometry refers to the experience of receiving information about a person or thing by contact with a given object.
[2]
Psychometry, female instruments, and subjective science, 1840-1910
May 13, 2019 · This essay focuses on the history of psychometry, the science of soul measuring. For its founder, Dr Joseph Rodes Buchanan, the soul was ...Missing: origin | Show results with:origin
[3]
Psychic Sleuthing: The Myth-making Process | Skeptical Inquirer
Sep 26, 2005 · (Like other forms of alleged ESP, psychometry can be scientifically tested for, yet it has never been validated by mainstream science. The ...
[4]
Psychometry | Psi Encyclopedia - Society for Psychical Research
Feb 20, 2016 · Psychometry is a technique in which a psychic handles a 'link object' connected with a target person, place or event. Contact with the object ...Missing: etymology parapsychology
[5]
Exploring the correlates and nature of subjective anomalous ...
Sep 1, 2024 · It is reported that Senora Z experienced visual impressions, auditory experiences and emotional reactions in response to touching the ...
[6]
Psychometry: Reading Objects Through Touch - iResearchNet
This article explores psychometry, the ability to perceive information about an object through touch, within the framework of transpersonal psychology.Missing: definition | Show results with:definition
[7]
Psychometry: Unlocking the Energies of Objects - SSRN
Nov 26, 2024 · Psychometry, often referred to as object reading, is a form of extrasensory perception (ESP) that involves obtaining information about a person, ...Missing: definition scholarly
[8]
[PDF] Manual of psychometry : the dawn of a new civilization - IAPSOP.com
(FOURTH EDITION.) BY JOSEPH RODES BUCHANAN, 1.L D.,. A uthor of "Anthropology ... 1842 to express the character of a new science and art, is the most.
[9]
[PDF] Joseph Rodes Buchanan and "The Science of Man"
See Buchanan, System of An- thropology, 124, and Manual of Psychometry, Part II, 120-41, for a full development of this idea. Buchanan, "Neurology in New York, ...
[10]
Our History | spr.ac.uk - Society for Psychical Research
At the same time the new religion of Spiritualism led to an explosion of extravagant paranormal claims, throughout the Western world and in all strata of ...
[11]
Stead, William T(homas) (1849-1912) - Encyclopedia.com
Psychometry (divination through material objects) was believed to be ... There was a constant dispute between Stead and the Society for Psychical Research.
[12]
W. T. Stead's "Borderland: A Quarterly Review and Index of Psychic ...
McDonald, Ada Goodrich Freer, and The Society for Psychical Research 's ... Psychometry"; Herbert Burrows and Theosophy; and F. W. H. Myers's assessment ...
[13]
PSI: A History of Parapsychology since Robert Hare in 1853
Jun 27, 2025 · ... psychometry) and other paranormal claims, for example, those related to near-death experiences, synchronicity, apparitional experiences, etc.
[14]
Clairvoyance - Charles Webster Leadbeater - Google Books
Title, Clairvoyance ; Author, Charles Webster Leadbeater ; Edition, 4 ; Publisher, Theosophical Publishing House, 1918 ; Original from, the University of Virginia.
[15]
The Parapsychology Revolution: The Extraordinary Progress of the ...
In Rhine's work, every precaution was taken against corruption, withholding, or pollution of data, which was also opened to other researchers (and non-research- ...
[16]
JB Rhine - Psi Encyclopedia - Society for Psychical Research
Feb 23, 2018 · Joseph Banks Rhine (1895-1980) is considered to be the founder of modern parapsychology. An American botanist-turned-psychologist.Missing: psychometric | Show results with:psychometric
[17]
[PDF] Psychoactive Substances and Paranormal Phenomena
Jan 1, 2012 · Even J. B. Rhine, the father of modern parapsychology, ran some ... psychometry experiments. This was probably due to all the problems ...
[18]
Parapsychology in Perspective | Psychology Today
Oct 30, 2019 · During the 1970s, an array of parapsychological organizations were formed, including the Academy of Parapsychology and Medicine (1970), the ...
[19]
Parapsychology Definition, Psychic Phenomena & Paranormal Studies
In the later 20th century, the New Age movement bolstered people's interest in parapsychology, but that interest was more spiritual and less research-based.What is Parapsychology? · 20th-Century Parapsychology<|separator|>
[20]
[PDF] Parapsychology's Past Eight Years: A Lack-of-Progress Report
Despite the enthusiasm for the new "quantum mechanical" theories, nothing of substance has occurred in parapsychology in the past eight years. The same old ...
[21]
[PDF] Manual of psychometry
Vulgar errors, comparing Psychometry with mesmerism, diabolism, ... Buchanan's psychometry seems to be of a wonderful character. There is an ...
[22]
Psychometry: The Psychic Touch
### Summary of Psychometry Information from the Article
[23]
How to Develop and Use Psychometry 1567180256 - DOKUMEN.PUB
They overlap often, as there are not always clearly defined borders. They are: • Object Psychometry • Location Psychometry 25 26 % How<|control11|><|separator|>
[24]
Psychometry - The Tactile Art - The College of Psychic Studies
Aug 6, 2021 · In psychometry, information is accessed through interacting with an object; tracing the fingers over jewellery, photographs and other ...Missing: environmental | Show results with:environmental
[25]
Psychometry's fun - you can do it, too - Gold Psychic Reading Waikato
May 1, 2022 · Psychometry is the intuitive ability to get information about the owner of an object by either holding it in your hand or (advanced ...
[26]
The Life-Changing Power of Group Psychometry - Balboa Press
Jan 15, 2025 · The meditation/psychometry group that I started in my own home is unique. Although it's just one version among a myriad of other kinds of ...
[27]
Healing Guides - Developing Psychometry with Crystals
### Summary of Using Crystals in Psychometry
[28]
Psychometry Explained: Unlocking the Secrets ... - - World of Psychic
Consent: Reading personal items can expose private account details; always seek permission when possible. Jedi caution: In the wars jedi framework, violent ...
[29]
Guide: Tuning into the Past — A Step-by-Step Approach to Psychic ...
Nov 11, 2024 · Visual: You may see flashes or detailed scenes in your mind's eye. Emotional: Strong feelings like joy or anxiety might surface suddenly.
[30]
Manual of psychometry : the dawn of a new civilization
Oct 18, 2010 · Publication date: 1885. Topics: Psychometry (Parapsychology), Parapsychology. Publisher: Boston : Joseph R. Buchanan.Missing: scholarly | Show results with:scholarly
[31]
Buchanan's Journal of Man, April 1887. - Project Gutenberg
In the daily practice of psychometry, Mrs. Buchanan, of whose powers the “Manual of Psychometry” gives a fair idea, is accustomed in speaking of the present ...
[32]
Early Studies in Parapsychology at Duke
The Parapsychology Laboratory began at Duke in 1930 after Dr. William McDougall invited Drs. JB and Louisa Rhine to Durham.Missing: psychometry | Show results with:psychometry
[33]
[PDF] SOVIET AND EAST EUROPEAN PARAPSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH
Analysis of information from a number of sources indicates that the Soviets have a parapsychology research program whose existence is classified and whose ...
[34]
[PDF] SOVIET AND CZECHOSLOVAKIAN PARAPSYCHOLOGY ... - CIA
Seemingly incredible effects have been reported, such as the movement of distant objects without any detectable use of physical force (psychokinesis or ...
[35]
Comparing psychics and non-psychics through a “token-object ...
Aug 6, 2025 · ... Token-Object Reading Conditions. Article. Full-text available. Jan 2009 ... The experimental results showed that the psychic group were ...
[36]
Psychics vs. Non-psychics in 'Face-to-Face' and 'Remote ... - Informit
Non-psychics in 'Face-to-Face' and 'Remote' Token-object Reading Conditions. Authors: Alejandro Parra; ;; Juan Carlos Argibay. Authors: Alejandro Parra.
[37]
Meta-analysis in parapsychology: II. Psi domains other than ganzfeld
The present article completes the two-part review on meta-analyses in parapsychology (for Part I, see L. Storm, 2006). The reviewed literature other than ...
[38]
What psi research can – and cannot – say about 'mind beyond the ...
In a comprehensive review of all major meta-analyses published on psi up to that point, I (Cardeña, Citation2018) presented 11 meta-analyses of different ...
[39]
psychometry - The Skeptic's Dictionary
Nov 24, 2015 · psychometry. Psychometry (literally, soul measuring) is an alleged psychic power that enables one to divine facts by handling objects.
[40]
Police Psychics: Do They Really Solve Crimes? - Skeptical Inquirer
Apr 29, 2004 · Current superstar psychic Noreen Renier employs still another old divination technique called psychometry, by which she purportedly gets psychic ...
[41]
Rose Mackenberg's deceptive activism | Wellcome Collection
Jun 20, 2019 · Recruited as one of Houdini's undercover psychic investigators, Rose Mackenberg exposed the fraudulent mediums who would exploit grief for their ...
[42]
Buchanan, Joseph Rhodes (1814-1899) - Encyclopedia.com
The discoverer of "phrenomesmerism," Buchanan published in 1843 a neurological map, a new distribution of the phrenological organs. He anticipated Prof.Missing: origins | Show results with:origins
[43]
The International School of Clairvoyance
Debra Lynne Katz, Ph.D., is the Founder of the International School of Clairvoyance, Lead Instructor & Author of several leading books on intuitive development.Readings with Debra · Debra's Books · About Debra Lynne Katz Ph.D · General 1
[44]
https://www.debrakatz.com/
[45]
Gustav Pagenstecher - Psi Encyclopedia
Dec 30, 2022 · He is remembered mainly for experiments and theories concerning psychometry. Contents. Life and Career; Psychometry Investigations; Theories ...
[46]
Stefan Ossowiecki | Psi Encyclopedia
### Summary of Psychometry Cases Related to WWII or Missing Persons
[47]
(updated) Halifax police hired psychic in Kimberly McAndrew case
Feb 10, 2015 · Renier has worked on over 600 homicide and missing person cases through the years, and had no memory of the McAndrew case, but she did have ...
[48]
Noreen Renier - Psi Encyclopedia
Jun 15, 2020 · Noreen Renier (b 1937) is an American psychic detective who claims to have worked on more than four hundred cases globally, mainly those related to murder, ...Missing: cold | Show results with:cold
[49]
(PDF) History of Psychometrics - ResearchGate
Dec 3, 2015 · Psychometrics developed as a means for measuring psychological abilities and attributes, usually via a standardized psychological test.
[50]
Top 5 Movie Psychics: When Hollywood Gets a Glimpse of the Sixth ...
Top 5 Movie Psychics: When Hollywood Gets a Glimpse of the Sixth Sense · 1. The Dead Zone (1983) · 2. The Sixth Sense (1999) · 3. Scanners (1981) · 4. Doctor Sleep ...
[51]
25 TV Shows About Psychics That Will Blow Your Mind - TVShowPilot
Oct 18, 2024 · Medium, NBC/CBS (2005 – 2011). Medium is similar to The InBetween in that the psychic at the center of the show, Allison DuBois, is able to ...
[52]
Psychometrer Eiji (TV Series 1997-1999) - TMDB
Rating 7.7/10 (3) When he touches something with one of his hands, he is able to receive brief impressions of the past of the object - psychometry. Determined to solve crimes ...
[53]
Mythos Academy Series Archives | Jennifer Estep
The Mythos Academy young adult urban fantasy series focuses on Gwen Frost, a 17-year-old girl who has the gift of psychometry.
[54]
The Psychic Detectives: Wilson, Colin: 9780916515065 - Amazon.com
While focusing on psychometry, Wilson surveys parapsychological phenomena with emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. Psychometry, which is closely related to ...
[55]
Meet the psychic who uses gift to solve FBI cold cases - New York Post
Aug 1, 2016 · Griffin, who lives in Greenfield, Colo., and has a wife and son, uses his paranormal insights to provide clues that help solve “cold cases” that have ...
[56]
How Unlikely Duo Of 'No-Nonsense' FBI Agent & Psychic Quietly ...
Sep 2, 2025 · How Unlikely Duo Of 'No-Nonsense' FBI Agent & Psychic Quietly Teamed Up To Solve Cases For 25 Years. By ForbesTV, Forbes Staff,. 6 days ago.
[57]
Paranormal Phenomena Met With Skepticism in U.S. - Gallup News
Jul 23, 2025 · Nearly half of U.S. adults, 48%, believe in psychic or spiritual healing. Slightly fewer, 39%, express a belief in ghosts, while between 24% and ...Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
[58]
U.S. Online Psychic Reading Market Size & Revenue, 2031
Dec 4, 2024 · The U.S. online psychic reading market is expected to reach US$ 0.3 Bn by 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 5.9%, reaching US$ 0.5 Bn by 2031.Missing: 2020s | Show results with:2020s
[59]
Psychic Testimony Admissibility in Court Explained - JustAnswer
Nov 10, 2006 · Psychic testimony often lacks scientific validation and is considered subjective, making it inadmissible under most legal standards. Judges ...Can Psychic Readings Be Used as Court Evidence? - JustAnswerLaws Against Psychic Harassment & Unwanted Physical Touching ...More results from www.justanswer.com