Know Your Own Psi-Q [Hardcover]

Hans J. Eysenck; Carl Sargent (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (1984)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345313054
• ISBN-13: 978-0345313058
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,741,523 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars How psychic are you?, May 19, 2001

By 

Victoria Tarrani "writer, editor, artist, des... (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Have you ever changed your mind because intuition demanded that you do so? How about that dream that came true or a de'ja vu? What explains that odd feeling that someone is staring at you, or knowing the phone will ring and who will be calling? Why can you "hear" someone else's thoughts, though their words are unsaid? These are variations of ESP (extra sensory perception) or the sixth sense.

Scientists debate the probability of psychic skills; they want proof in the form of repeatable, controllable experiments. Most of the time the psi talent is quixotic and theories remain just that. However, anyone who has experienced the paranormal recognizes that something strange and unexplainable has happened.

Testing: There are over thirty games and experiments to measure and explore ESP. These are not complicated setups requiring labs and isolation, but can be done in front of the fireplace with a standard deck of cards or a pair of dice. More complicated tests are described as well. Telepathy is the psi of sending thoughts -- similar to saying the same thing at the same time as your companion, or completing a sentence for someone else. Over all these games can be fun. If the test is done with ten items, and if you or your friends happen to have scores of 0-2 or 8-10, remember that is outside the standard 50% chance. Too low or too high indicates psi.

Writers of any genre can benefit from this how-to book. Having the detailed descriptions of events that occur in a controlled environment can help writers create characters and stories that have veracity. Since these tests are easily conducted in the home or in public, the information gleaned can be the crux of rich characters and plots because the experiences are not imagined. Correct terminology and settings let the reader trust enough to suspend disbelief. The characters and scenes may well take over the story because they are the psychic aspects.

What neural transmitters remain dormant in the unused portion of the brain? Well, that's another story.

Five stars for usability, information, creativity, and ingenuity.

Victoria Tarrani