What does psychometry mean?
Psychometry most commonly names the supposed paranormal ability to learn information about an object or person by touching it. A practitioner might claim to sense who owned a piece of jewelry, where an envelope came from, or what had happened at a particular location. Such claims are associated with spiritualism and other occult practices and are not supported by reliable scientific evidence. The word can also have the more specialized meaning of measuring psychological characteristics, although “psychometrics” is more usual for that broader field. Psychometry is therefore useful chiefly as a precise term for a particular category of alleged extra-sensory ability, while modern discussions should distinguish the purported paranormal practice from the scientific measurement of psychological traits.
The supposed paranormal ability to learn information about a person or object through physical contact or close proximity.
"He believed that psychometry enabled him to read objects handled by strangers."
Often used to report or characterize an occult claim; it does not imply scientific acceptance.
The measurement of psychological characteristics.
"The study used psychometry to assess differences in attention among the participants."
This specialized sense is uncommon and is easily confused with psychometrics.
Plural is uncommon; the word is normally used in the singular.
"The lecture examined claims about psychometries in spiritualist traditions."
Psychometry claims that an object can reveal a story through touch—turning a sealed box into a supposedly supernatural detective.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of psychometry
Psychometry combines Greek roots associated with the mind or soul, from psykhē, and measurement, from metron. The word was formed in the 19th century, during a period of growing interest in spiritualism and alleged extra-sensory perception. Its structure reflects the original sense of mentally or intuitively measuring qualities associated with an object.
Related word forms
How psychometry is actually used
In its paranormal sense, the word is usually used to describe a claim made by mediums or practitioners and is not accepted as an established scientific phenomenon. The measurement-related sense is less common in general usage and should be distinguished from psychometrics.
Easily confused with psychometry
Psychometry usually denotes a supposed paranormal ability, whereas psychometrics refers to the measurement of psychological characteristics.
Psychometry concerns objects or personal qualities, while psychometrics is the broader field of quantifying psychological traits and behavior.