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Zener Cards
You probably recognise this set of five simplistic yet mysterious symbols as part of a test to discern an individual’s psychic or extra sensory capabilities. One symbol is printed on one side of each card in a pack of 25. These cards are shuffled and then held up, one at a time, in front of a subject with the symbol side facing the holder. The subject then must attempt to identify the symbol on the card by looking into the mind of the holder, to see what they are seeing. An element of chance is involved because even if a subject has no psychic or extra sensory abilities they still have a 1 to 5 chance of giving a correct response. Their origins come from various investigations into Parapsychology led by a Mr. Karl Zener. In recent times Zener cards have become a dramatic device used in all sorts of media such as films, television shows and video games. You can see them being used by Dr Velkman in Ghostbusters, Cate Blanchett in The Gift or Dr Suresh in Heroes or as game devices in Mario Tennis and The World Ends With You to name a mere handful of examples.
First published: December 2nd, 2009
Filed under: LineRead #2
Posted by: Michael