Experientia April 1988 PMID 3360083

The cold reading technique.

D L Dutton

Mentions

49
Peak: 21 in Sep 2020
across 5 sources since Jul 2019

Extended reach

251,920
potential audience

Total likes

4,323

Video views

94,995

Mentions per month

Jul 2019 – Apr 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter38 posts
  • News4 articles
  • YouTube3 videos
  • Bluesky2 posts
  • Blogs2 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Throughout the discussions, users reveal a strong interest in how the cold reading technique operates, often citing examples like comedians demonstrating psychology, psychics exploiting biases, and social tactics used in dating or entertainment. The tone varies from skeptical dismissals to intrigued analysis, emphasizing the technique's psychological roots and its widespread presence in popular culture, which reinforces its significance and influence.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge that the cold reading technique is real and used in various contexts, including psychology, entertainment, and scams, showing a general consensus of its validity.

InterestHigh interest

The majority of posts demonstrate enthusiasm and curiosity about the technique's psychological basis and practical implications, indicating high interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Posts often delve into how the technique is applied, referencing examples like comedians, psychics, and social interactions, showing moderate to deep engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

Discussions explore the influence of cold reading on perceptions of psychics and media, and its role in scam efforts, suggesting that it has a noteworthy impact on understanding psychological manipulation.

Abstract in brief

  • Cold reading is a technique used in face-to-face encounters, where performers make educated guesses about a person's background or problems, creating an illusion of paranormal insight.
  • The success of cold reading relies heavily on the Barnum effect, where people accept vague personality descriptions as personally meaningful.
  • The text suggests future research should explore whether cold readers truly believe they have psychic abilities or are consciously aware of using these techniques to simulate such powers.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
PJ Coffey - They/Them @homebrewandhacking@mastodon.ie
@homebrewandhacking.bsky.social · Bluesky

Psychology is pretty important. Statistically likely responses is how LLMs work. Also how the "cold reading" technique of psychics work. Going to take a shot that said professor is now convinced of its accuracy. softwarecrisis.dev/letters/llme...

Dec 25, 2024 · 49 likes · 18 shares View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

A fortune teller’s ability to “read your future” might seem magical - but their powers are more psychological than supernatural. https://t.co/0exC2ixK7C https://t.co/WxN9BODlVE

Sep 17, 2020 · 22 likes · 2 shares · 115,396 followers View post →
OmniPuro
@OmniPuro · X

#ぷろEnglish ◆#今日のリスニング :2020/09/18 How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases - YouTube https://t.co/czhu5GYRTR

Sep 18, 2020 · 7 likes · 1 share · 12,853 followers View post →
sp
@t3rrywr1st · X

@LoveIsland Dami using pick up artist tactics he learned from reading the game. He has used the cold reading technique on a few girls now to build an "emotional connection" by telling them what they're thinking. It's very effective if done right. Dami seems to have utilised it well.

Jul 4, 2022 · 4 likes · 94 followers View post →
Lindsey Medenwaldt
@LMedenwaldt · X

How Psychics (and popular personality quizzes like the Enneagram) Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/yKptumGDYJ

Sep 17, 2020 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 2,222 followers View post →
tech-dinosaur
@Tech_Dino_45 · X

@thatwimpydeer All mediums are scam artists. It doesn't matter if a person knows their history or not. Mediums aren't talking to the dead. They use the cold reading technique cause it has the greatest potential to give them a hit. Especially in a big group.

May 12, 2023 · 2 likes · 94 followers View post →

All mentions

Daniel Suárez
@ElOtroDaniel_ · X

Y después le preguntan: "How much of the cold reading technique is in your previous answer?" https://t.co/ufR3FnmK2X

Apr 7, 2025 · 344 followers View post →
Mr. Kite!
@ellegantrigby.bsky.social · Bluesky

Hahahaha yes the cold reading technique. There was an Aussie comedian I went and saw once who was great at showing how it’s done. Simple psychology really.

Feb 7, 2025 · 1 like · 1 share View post →
A space helmet for a cow
@TomEvans80 · X

Not quite sure how much I approve of the cold reading technique that's developing in Only Connect, of starting with a vague answer and adding more based on Victoria's reaction.

Jan 13, 2025 · 450 followers View post →
PJ Coffey - They/Them @homebrewandhacking@mastodon.ie
@homebrewandhacking.bsky.social · Bluesky

Psychology is pretty important. Statistically likely responses is how LLMs work. Also how the "cold reading" technique of psychics work. Going to take a shot that said professor is now convinced of its accuracy. softwarecrisis.dev/letters/llme...

Dec 25, 2024 · 49 likes · 18 shares View post →
MarkShuness
@Markshuness · X

Yeah it's like the cold reading technique "psychics" use. Be vague and hope that something sticks. Forget about it if it amounts to nothing. https://t.co/g1jhJeeqPM

Nov 9, 2024 · 9 followers View post →
Bruce
@BruceCuber · X

@RonFilipkowski Bullshit. It is a form of the "Cold Reading" technique.

Dec 21, 2023 · 126 followers View post →
lucy
@lucyveepee · X

@jonathanstea @CaulfieldTim @EdzardErnst @ThinkingPowers @RyanMarino I used to enjoy the creativity of tarot card reading. I soon realized that I was using the cold reading technique intuitively, without knowing what it was. In addition to data from validated tests, one part of psychological assessment is comprised of cold reading observations.

Dec 3, 2023 · 1 like · 3,655 followers View post →
tech-dinosaur
@Tech_Dino_45 · X

@thatwimpydeer All mediums are scam artists. It doesn't matter if a person knows their history or not. Mediums aren't talking to the dead. They use the cold reading technique cause it has the greatest potential to give them a hit. Especially in a big group.

May 12, 2023 · 2 likes · 94 followers View post →
Krystian Aparta
@kaparta · X

My current bout of insomnia is making me experience the future. The future of you perhaps watching this video that I sort of forgot I wrote, for a while

Sep 15, 2022 · 168 followers View post →
sp
@t3rrywr1st · X

@LoveIsland Dami using pick up artist tactics he learned from reading the game. He has used the cold reading technique on a few girls now to build an "emotional connection" by telling them what they're thinking. It's very effective if done right. Dami seems to have utilised it well.

Jul 4, 2022 · 4 likes · 94 followers View post →
Kang of Queens
@KangofQueens · X

@patriotmimzy @nypost If this guy was simply a coffin-maker and not a "medium," a field that has been almost universally discredited as using the 'cold reading' technique (when tested under controlled conditions) to deceive clients, i'd not have such a harsh take.

May 28, 2022 · 501 followers View post →
Η_Κάμπια
@berniben1 · X

@8hGw6i0d0ubplDI @pokaaaahh https://t.co/4IsNgWdYzg

Apr 9, 2022 · 783 followers View post →
slayhuman
@slayhuman · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/zy27DmEqjP via @YouTube

Oct 30, 2021 · 70 followers View post →
Kal Dore
@KalDore87 · X

@deaerti @Salahulldeen @BerlinDodger @zarakayk It's the 'cold reading' technique again. Give a 'prophetic' statement so vague that anyone reading with the 'eyes of faith' will use their cognitive bias to apply it to reality. The Evangelicals do the same with The Book of Revelation

Dec 31, 2020 · 1 like · 1,133 followers View post →
Elise Larsson
@EliseLarsson · X

How #Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/vPAVtQyau0 via @YouTube #psychology

Oct 29, 2020 · 239 followers View post →
Gamma the Protogolin
@KindIntellect · X

@werewolf2814 Welp you got me there. I don’t really believe in those people any way, they just exploit our cognitive biases. https://t.co/T3j70eNQ1o

Oct 4, 2020 · 108 followers View post →
Luca
@SorrisoCattivo · X

https://t.co/tnvEafKKNt

Sep 24, 2020 · 142 followers View post →
Christopher
@CCCircuit · X

@felon_fred @katy_kin Our biases play a pretty big role in the way that we interpret things. Here's a breakdown: https://t.co/T8j1ZYUc26

Sep 23, 2020 · 478 followers View post →
Joe Bloggs
@isjoebloggs · X

RT @LMedenwaldt: How Psychics (and popular personality quizzes like the Enneagram) Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/yKptumGDYJ

Sep 22, 2020 · 2 shares · 224 followers View post →
Krystian Aparta
@kaparta · X

Here's my latest SciShow Psych episode. Enjoy and share!

Sep 21, 2020 · 168 followers View post →
Real Skeptic
@RealSceptic · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/DkeykDeonr

Sep 20, 2020 · 49 followers View post →
RealslandBoy
@RealslandBoy · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/qOcdt1Ka5M via @YouTube

Sep 20, 2020 · 1,007 followers View post →
Haley Keller
@haleymkeller · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/ptBcYWK3Rs

Sep 20, 2020 · 1 like · 496 followers View post →
Tyler Nugent
@nugephs · X

https://t.co/x7zd0ob4Ri

Sep 19, 2020 · 59 followers View post →
Cecile Braconnier
@braco001 · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/Unu5T3gEsT via @YouTube

Sep 18, 2020 · 738 followers View post →
Charles Ikenna
@CharlesIkenna23 · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/4txgHvLEFc via @YouTube

Sep 18, 2020 · 3,222 followers View post →
Jay Medenwaldt - Psych Apologist
@JayMedenwaldt · X

RT @LMedenwaldt: How Psychics (and popular personality quizzes like the Enneagram) Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/yKptumGDYJ

Sep 18, 2020 · 2 shares · 5,298 followers View post →
OmniPuro
@OmniPuro · X

#ぷろEnglish ◆#今日のリスニング :2020/09/18 How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases - YouTube https://t.co/czhu5GYRTR

Sep 18, 2020 · 7 likes · 1 share · 12,853 followers View post →
Mɒrius Pɒps de la Verte Digue avec 2n & ijk
@Marius_Paps · X

Yep, I'm biased and have selective memory... sigh... How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/LTvI0xh2Td

Sep 18, 2020 · 152 followers View post →
Paden Foster
@pdogg94 · X

How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/H8LYYXdysX via @YouTube @SciShow In case anyone is bored. Lol.

Sep 18, 2020 · 197 followers View post →
Gohsuke Takama
@gohsuket · X

|・ω・`)フムフム Barnum Effects "How Psychics Exploit Our Cognitive Biases" on YouTube - https://t.co/OXkhYrZ8ms

Sep 17, 2020 · 2,987 followers View post →
Lindsey Medenwaldt
@LMedenwaldt · X

How Psychics (and popular personality quizzes like the Enneagram) Exploit Our Cognitive Biases https://t.co/yKptumGDYJ

Sep 17, 2020 · 2 likes · 2 shares · 2,222 followers View post →
Tears
@TearsOfBlood_Z · X

https://t.co/0uTTJ08w9n Psychics are crap

Sep 17, 2020 · 894 followers View post →
William Wallace
@bill14051 · X

RT @SciShow: A fortune teller’s ability to “read your future” might seem magical - but their powers are more psychological than supernatura…

Sep 17, 2020 · 2 shares · 361 followers View post →
Daniel Owens
@Chipthrower · X

RT @SciShow: A fortune teller’s ability to “read your future” might seem magical - but their powers are more psychological than supernatura…

Sep 17, 2020 · 2 shares · 342 followers View post →
SciShow
@SciShow · X

A fortune teller’s ability to “read your future” might seem magical - but their powers are more psychological than supernatural. https://t.co/0exC2ixK7C https://t.co/WxN9BODlVE

Sep 17, 2020 · 22 likes · 2 shares · 115,396 followers View post →
markangelodelacruz27
@markangelo_dc27 · X

The Cold Reading Technique....... https://t.co/Gjk1MdUPw8

Jun 5, 2020 · 259 followers View post →
Angelica (she/her)
@angelsaredim · X

RT @littlethompkins: When the Uber tries using the cold reading technique to guess that one of you had someone die and that they died from…

Sep 18, 2019 · 1 share · 603 followers View post →
lilthompkins
@littlethompkins · X

When the Uber tries using the cold reading technique to guess that one of you had someone die and that they died from cancer @urbleedingmagic

Sep 18, 2019 · 1 like · 1 share · 101 followers View post →
MonsieurBeast
@_gothlorien · X

@K3yle @aawayne @MrsMogul Know what? That an anonymous X-box player on an anime message board successfully used the cold reading technique to convince thousands of boomers to buy Q t-shirts?

Jul 22, 2019 · 835 followers View post →