The Palm Reader who became Professor in Psychology!

**Martijn (admin)** Wed Jun 08, 2011 1:45 am

Have you ever heard of the skeptic-perception on hand reading? Basically, it is focussed on the idea that 'psychological mechanisms' could (partly) explain why hand reading works. Anyway, in the US there is a professor in Psychology who's life story is a confronting illustration of how skeptics perceive 'palmistry'.

I have written a short summary of the life-story of Ray Hyman, Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon (who became known as a noted critic of parapsychology and founding member of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal):

http://palmreadingperspectives.wordpress.com/2011/06/08/the-professor-in-psychology-who-started-his-career-as-a-palm-reader/

(Feel free to share your thoughts... especially when you need 'emotional support' regarding how to dea with this rather confronting story, etc.)

PS. Hyman is also one of the guys behind the magazine 'Sceptical Inquirer':
The Palm Reader who became Professor in Psychology! Covers_large

The Palm Reader who became Professor in Psychology! Covers_large

**Lynn** Wed Jun 08, 2011 2:04 am

Martijn (admin) wrote:(Feel free to share your thoughts... especially when you need 'emotional support' regarding how to dea with this rather confronting story, etc.)[/color]

haha! I just read your link to this story on facebook and actually it is quite scary to wonder if we are deluding ourselves as to the accuracy of handreading! that the delivery is more important than the content! Shocked

Thanks for the offer of an emotional support helpline. Very Happy

**Martijn (admin)** Wed Jun 08, 2011 3:06 pm

Yes Lynn, for those who have never been aware of the 'psychology' that is involved in the activity of hand reading (between the hand reader & the client)... the story of Ray Hyman may sound like a surrealistic story.

But I know that you are many years aware of related issues such as the 'Barnum-effect'... which is another side of the same coin.

In the facebook discussion Nona mentioned another interesting aspect: she described that people sometimes tend to 'create memories' about a reading that may include elements which were not part of the reading.

I hope Hyman's story will stimulate people to become more aware of the 'psychology' that is always to some degree involved in hand reading. And I think we should also be aware that hand reading is not like 'biometry'... because the results of a hand reading significantly depend on the observation- & communication skills of the hand reader.

The Palm Reader who became Professor in Psychology! Delusions_of_Grandeur40vDetail

The Palm Reader who became Professor in Psychology! Delusions_of_Grandeur40vDetail

**Helen** Wed Jun 08, 2011 11:45 pm

Hi Martijin,
This actually reminded me a lecture in Public Speaking. My professor used to say that in people have a tendency to hear what they want to hear and that is why same speech is interpreted differently by a public. I guess Public Speaking, communication, psyhology and hand reading are interconnected.

Very nice article Smile

**Martijn (admin)** Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:52 am

Yes Helen, people sometimes (usually?) hear what they want to hear... you've described an excellent example!

Regarding your conclusion:

"I guess Public Speaking, communication, psyhology and hand reading are interconnected. "

True!

Human perception is involved in all activities that you mention ... and many studies have indicated that people usually do not communicate efficiently + body language often becomes decisive for how people 'value' the message of a speaker.

Therefore I could say:

The future of 'hand reading' probably depends on whether it will (continue) to develop as a hard science!!

Helen... thank you for sharing your thought!

Thumb up

**Lynn** Thu Jun 09, 2011 1:24 am

Nice to see you Helen :-) Yes you are right.
I agree with Nona about "people sometimes tend to 'create memories' about a reading that may include elements which were not part of the reading." That's why I tape my readings.

Patti Thu Jun 09, 2011 3:26 am

Martijn (admin) wrote:

Therefore I could say:

The future of 'hand reading' probably depends on whether it will (continue) to develop as a hard science!!

Agreed!

H. H. Wilder (married to Inez Whipple) was emphatic in his article called "Scientific Palmistry" that it was in no way related to fortune telling and laughed at palm readers who mistakenly located the mounds under the fingers. This was more than a century ago!

Scientific Palmistry - H. H. Wilder - via Google Books

**Helen** Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:20 am

Lynn wrote:

Code:: Nice to see you Helen :-) Yes you are right. I agree with Nona about "people sometimes tend to 'create memories' about a reading that may include elements which were not part of the reading." That's why I tape my readings.

Hi Lynn,
I am happy to be back. I think it is great idea to tape a reading. I have noticed that our perception is so delicate and flexible that it can observe and process same information differently every time. I think recorded reading can become a lifetime long reading.

Smile

**Martijn (admin)** Thu Jun 09, 2011 11:46 am

Patti wrote:
Agreed!

H. H. Wilder (married to Inez Whipple) was emphatic in his article called "Scientific Palmistry" that it was in no way related to fortune telling and laughed at palm readers who mistakenly located the mounds under the fingers. This was more than a century ago!

Scientific Palmistry - H. H. Wilder - via Google Books

Thanks Patti,

Wilders tip on page 47 about how to 'see' the 3 palmar pads below the fingers is fascinating!

Thumbs up!

**Helen** Thu Jun 09, 2011 12:04 pm

Martijin wrote:

Code:: The future of 'hand reading' probably depends on whether it will (continue) to develop as a hard science!!

Hi Martijin,
I completely agree with you. From my observations I have noticed that general public and many medical proffesionals still perceive a hand reading as a fortune telling. However I still believe that because of professionals like you, Manning, Campbell, Holtzmen, and others hand research would become like a "big sister" for today's psychology.
I am sure you know about a close collaborations between moderns neuroscientists, psychologists and Tibetian spiritual leaders. The Mind and Life institute uniting thousands of years research with modern time science. I believe that one day Hand reading will become a part of science. It may not be a hard science, but it definitely will become a respected branch of scientific study tree

http://www.mindandlife.org/

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