Psychokinesis Research Paper

Psychokinesis, sometimes known as telekinesis, is one of the forms of study for parapsychology that is still extremely controversial and has yet to have any scientific evidence that it actually exists. Study of this type of activity dates back to the 1800's. Psychokinesis is still actively being studied and seen in pop culture today. Many of us have seen acts of psychokinesis portrayed in the movies ranging from Carrie to the more recent, Men Who Stare at Goats. There are also self-proclaimed "psychics," that try to convince us that they have the capabilities of manipulating matter with their minds. One such famous pro-claimer many are familiar with, Uri Geller. Known most for his ability to bend spoons with his mind. It then leads us to discuss …show more content…
It was the famous author, Henry Holt, that coined the term "psychokinesis" and then parapsychologist, J.B. Rhine, who is known as "the father of parapsychology", began researching the activity heavily. Dice were often used in his experiments but many argued on the validity of his results. Through time, several more researchers became more focused on the study. PK eventually was separated into two different categories, Macro-PK, which was observable events, and micro-PK, was weak effects that could not be observed by the human eye. Researchers focused on the latter category and began to create experiments created by event generators. Physicist, Helmut Schmidt, created one of the first generators. This was an electronic coin flipper. In the 1960's, the study became increasingly more popular. The year 1968 brought forth the subject, Nina Kulagina. Scientist observed Nina altering the movement of an object already in motion, changing a photograph, and changed the heartbeat of a frog. There have been numerous other case studies that have come around and have been studied but still have yet to have scientific proof that their abilities were not fraud. One of the most noted psychics, Uri Geller, came to fame in the late …show more content…
During a meal, he picked up a soon and it curled up in his hand and broke after applying no physical pressure to it. He then began showcasing this to his peers making his mother think that he inherited this power from family member, Sigmund Frued. He then continued a normal life until the late 1960's when he started to demonstrate his powers once again to small audiences. He eventually became extremely well known all throughout Israel. Scientists took note of him and began doing studies on him. Geller used his mind power when he worked with the FBI and the CIA. Doing things such as erasing computer files and hunting down serial killers and to top it off attending nuclear disarmament negotiations to send positive brain waves to the chief negotiator. This part of his career path was extremely controversial and confidential to discuss with the public. Geller became more mainstream and started doing more performances to the public in the 70's. Most of these demonstrations were performed in an uncontrolled environment. Skeptics included psychologists, Dr. David Marks and Dr. Richard Kammann. They published descriptions of how Gellar cheated by peering through a hole in the laboratory where the testing was taking place. Gellar also had access to a two-way intercom that enabled him to listen to the investigator's conversation. Believers of his practice include magicians of the Society of American Magicians. In 1974, they tested Uri