Mentalism Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mentalism

[men-tl-iz-uhm ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

performance art

Mentalism is a form of entertainment where the performer appears to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities. This can include mind reading, telepathy, precognition, and psychokinesis.

Synonyms

mind reading, psychic abilities, telepathy.

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Word Description / Examples
mentalism

Mentalism is often used in the context of a performing art where the performer appears to demonstrate highly developed mental or intuitive abilities, such as mind reading or predicting future events.

  • The magician's mentalism act left the audience in awe as he accurately guessed their thoughts.
  • She studied mentalism for years to perfect her skills in reading people and creating illusions.
mind reading

Mind reading is commonly mentioned in situations where someone seems to know what another person is thinking. It can be used both literally (in fictional contexts) and metaphorically.

  • In the science fiction movie, the protagonist had the power of mind reading.
  • She was so good at predicting his needs it felt like she had a mind reading ability.
telepathy

Telepathy specifically refers to the direct transmission of thoughts or feelings between people without using any sensory channels. It's often mentioned in discussions about paranormal phenomena or in science fiction.

  • The twins claimed they could communicate through telepathy, even when they were separated by great distances.
  • He often wrote about telepathy in his sci-fi novels, exploring the possibilities of mind-to-mind communication.
psychic abilities

Psychic abilities are often referred to in situations involving supernatural or extrasensory powers. This term encompasses a broad range of phenomena including telepathy, telekinesis, and precognition.

  • She claimed to have psychic abilities that allowed her to sense events before they happened.
  • During the sรฉance, the medium exhibited various psychic abilities that amazed the participants.

Examples of usage

  • The mentalist amazed the audience by correctly guessing the word they were thinking of.
  • She claimed to have psychic abilities and practiced mentalism to showcase her talents.
  • Many people are fascinated by the mysteries of mentalism and its seemingly impossible feats.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Mentalism explores the relationships between the mind and behavior, indicating that thoughts can influence actions.
  • Cognitive psychology studies how people think, learn, and remember, providing insights that mentalists often use.
  • Some techniques in mentalism are rooted in psychological principles, such as suggestion or misdirection.

Pop Culture

  • Famous performers like Derren Brown and Uri Geller have popularized mentalism through television and live performances.
  • The TV show 'The Mentalist' features a fictional character who uses keen observational skills to solve crimes, highlighting the blend of deduction and entertainment.

Magic and Performance

  • Mentalism distinguishes itself from traditional magic by focusing on mental feats rather than physical tricks.
  • Many performances involve psychological techniques to create the illusion of mind-reading or predicting choices.

Philosophy

  • Some philosophical discussions consider mentalism in relation to consciousness, questioning how thoughts influence our perception of reality.
  • In philosophy of mind, mentalism is seen as a framework for understanding mental states and their connection to behavior.

Origin of 'mentalism'

Main points about word origin

  • The term 'mentalism' comes from the Latin word 'mens', meaning 'mind'.
  • It first emerged in the early 20th century as a way to describe specific psychological performances.

The term 'mentalism' originated in the late 19th century and was initially used to describe the performance of mind reading and other psychic feats. It gained popularity as a form of entertainment in the early 20th century and has since become a staple in magic shows and psychic demonstrations.


See also: mentalist, mentality, mentally.