Parapsychology: Dictionary of Parapsychology E-H
A dictionary of Parapsychology. Please note that words in grey are hyperlinked to a corresponding archive with articles related to that particular topic. F Fairy Small, human-like mythical being. May be benevolent or malevolent. Faith Healing Healing that is associated with prayer or belief in Divine power. False Awakening An experience in which a person believes he or she has woken up, but actually is still dreaming. Faraday Cage A wire mesh enclosure that provides a shield to radio waves. Feedback The giving of information to subjects about their performance on a test. See also biofeedback. Fire Walking Walking on red-hot coals, without pain or damage to the feet. Flying Saucer A term, coined in 1947, to refer to unknown disk-like aerial objects, often believed to be extraterrestrial spacecraft. The term has now been largely superseded by "UFO". Focal Person Person who is at the centre of poltergeist activity. Forced-Choice Test An ESP test in which the subject guesses from a predetermined list of alternative targets. Fortean Phenomena Strange phenomena, especially those which challenge conventional scientific knowledge. Named after the American researcher and writer Charles Fort. Fortean phenomena include those generally considered paranormal, but also bizarre non-paranormal events such as monsters and prodigies, extraordinary coincidences, and unusual rains. Fortune Telling Various practices which aim to divine future events. See also divination. Fraud The deliberate faking of paranormal phenomenena, generally for the purpose of financial gain, psychological manipulation, or notoriety. Faking for the purpose of entertainment (e.g., by stage magicians and mentalists) is not normally classed as fraud. Free-Response Test An ESP test in which the subject responds freely (does not choose from a fixed list of targets). For example, the subject may write down or draw their impressions, or may talk freely into a tape recorder. In order to assess the accuracy of the responses, they are compared with various targets (including the actual target) by a judge. See also preferential matching. H Hallucination A sensory experience that does not correspond to physical reality. See also apparition. Haunting Paranormal phenomena such as apparitions, unexplained sounds, smells or other sensations that are associated over a lengthy period of time with a specific location. Cf. poltergeist. Healer Someone who claims the power of healing. Healing Generally indicates cures that cannot be explained in terms of accepted medical principles. See also faith healing, psychic healing, spirit cures. Hellstromism See contact mind reading. Hex (a) An evil spell or magical curse. (b) To practice witchcraft. Hit A response that accurately matches the target. Cf. miss. Hot Reading A reading given in which prior knowledge of the sitter has been obtained, often using devious or fraudulent means. Cf. cold reading. Huna An Hawaiian religious practice involving clairvoyance, precognition, healing, miracles and magic. Hyperacuity See hyperaesthesia. Hyperaesthesia Exceptionally acute sensory awareness. Hypnagogic Imagery Imagery occurring in the hypnagogic state (occuring while dropping off to sleep). Hypnopompic Imagery Imagery occurring in the hypnopompic state (occurring while waking up). Hypnosis An ASC involving a heightened degree of suggestibility. See also Mesmerism. Hypnotism See hypnosis. | 
