Scepticism

Sceptics argue that psychics and mediums achieve their effects by trickery, that psychic experience is an illusory effect caused by a combination of brain misperceptions and confirmation bias, and that evidence of psi in laboratory tests can be attributed to poor methodology. This category includes biographies of leading sceptics as well as general articles discussing their allegations.

James Alcock

Canadian psychology professor, amateur magician and career psi sceptic, member of the Executive Council for the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

Blackmore-Sargent Controversy – A Reconsideration

New analysis of accusations of cheating made by Susan Blackmore.

Susan Blackmore

British psychologist, consciousness researcher and psi sceptic, who has frequently appeared in the media promoting her views.

Fraud in Parapsychology and Other Sciences

The assumption that psi researchers are more likely to commit fraud than other scientists is wrong.

Martin Gardner

American critic of parapsychology and paranormal claims (1914–2010), a founding member of the modern sceptical movement.

Trevor Hall

English chartered surveyor and amateur conjuror (1910–1991), author of books attacking deceased psychics and researchers.

Harry Houdini

The legendary stage magician (1874–1926) was hostile to Spiritualism and wrote books about his debunking of mediums.

Ray Hyman

American psychologist, amateur magician and leading sceptic, co-founder of the Committee for the Scientific Inquiry (CSI).

The One Million Dollar Paranormal Challenge

Prize offered until 2015 by the James Randi Educational Foundation (JREF) but never awarded.

James Randi

Canadian-born conjurer (1928–2020) and public scourge of psychics, faith healers, parapsychologists and practitioners of alternative medicine.

Reincarnation Case Studies: Criticisms

Addresses the objections critics have raised to the research of Ian Stevenson and others.

Michael Shermer

American author, media personality and career sceptic, founder of the Skeptics Society and its magazine Skeptic.

Richard Wiseman

British psychology professor, media personality and bestselling author who is a high-profile critic of parapsychology.