by R. M. Gardner

Created on: November 17, 2008   Last Updated: January 03, 2009

Mind-reading as defined by hearing or thinking the thoughts of another person is fake. That doesn't mean some people can't pick up on body language and read people very well. This can certainly give the impression that your mind is being read, but this kind of skill can be learned by most people if given time and training. All of us have to some extent read the mind of another. We see this with close friends and couples, we know them and how they think very well. Is it any wonder that we can anticipate how our family and close friends will react and think under certain circumstance? This isn't mind reading, it's experience.

Increasing the amount of information we can receive from another person is a learned skill. The term some experts use for this technique is called Cold Reading; taking a quick snapshot of an individual and developing a hypothesis based on what that individual tells them without saying a word. A tan line on the ring finger, recently divorced or having an affair; worn holes on a belt, dropped some weight. Something simpler, Rolex wrist watch, probably has money. Try it yourself the next time you're waiting in line at the bank or the doctor's office and see how much information you can pick up on someone just by looking at them. Add the ability to read body language and that amount of information increases even more.

We see this skill highly developed in poker players, they often refer to body language gestures as a tell. A tell is a certain body movement or gesture that indicates a bluff, or maybe that their opponent has a good hand. In any case, being able to interpret a tell is nothing more than being able to recognize and read body language. Without saying a single word we've already communicated volumes about ourselves, once we open our mouthes and speak, we reveal even more.

Listening to the way a people speak often reveals a lot about them. While we can all identify certain accents, especially those of foreigners, with study and listening for other clues we can refine this skill even further. By having an idea where someone grew up or currently lives and by listening to how they speak, with word choice and use of slang, we can pick up on their social status and education level. Again, these little pieces of information can be put together and provide us with some idea on how they think.

The ability to bring all of these different skills to the table at the same time can make someone appear to be able to mind reads. Some are good too, your

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