What is psychometry? Psychometry, or “token-object reading,” is the alleged ability to derive facts from touching an object - these facts could be related to the history of the object or its owner. Dr. J. Rhodes Buchanan introduced the term in 1842 to describe how psychics could obtain impressions from objects. Since then, researchers around the world have tested the possibility that people can do this. Many of their experiments have yielded fascinating results. The Psychometry Experiment, Summer 2007 Independent historian Chris Laursen will be conducting a new psychometry experiment in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton areas of Ontario, Canada from May 1 to June 30, 2007. It will compare the impressions people give about objects to their actual history. These experiments will be conducted in public spaces throughout the region. People of all ages will be welcomed to participate - from those who have never had a "psychic" experience before, to people who have had inexplicable events occur in their lives, to people who assert that they have psychic abilities. All that is required is an open mind. Several personal objects have been collected for this experiment - each of them with a special meaning to its owners. Can you somehow derive impressions about the object, its owner and their history? Imagine the possibilities! All participants will get to see how their results compared with the actual history of the object. Click here to find out how you can be part of the experiment! Procedure The set up of the experiment is very simple. Participants will be able to partake in the experiment on dates and at locations listed in the News section of this website. They should schedule a time with us in order to ensure they will get to participate. It will take about 45 minutes of their time to participate. Once they arrive at the experiment location, they will fill out a short questionnaire. The experiment itself will be conducted in a private room. Participants will sit at a table, and the experimenter will pre-choose four objects, each of which is contained in its own box. The experimenter will commence a brief exercise to help relax and clear the participant's mind, and give simple instructions. The participants will have a wash basin and paper towels to wash and dry their hands prior to handling each object. Participants can express any impressions that come to their mind verbally, by writing impressions down or drawing - whichever works best for them. That's all there is to it! Once the experiment is completed and results are correlated, the overall results will be shared by e-mail with each participant, including a brief history of each object. Any feedback on the impressions given by individual participants will be provided to them in writing. This is not a test to prove or disprove your own psychic ability. It is an experiment of curiosity. An experiment in what kinds of impressions people get related to histories. Each participant has the potential of getting accurate impressions about the object and its owner through this experiment. Supervision This independent project is being supervised by Sue Darroch, Matthew Didier (both of Toronto) and Heather Anderson (of Maple Ridge, British Columbia), Directors for Paranormal Studies and Investigations Canada (PSICAN). Several volunteers will be assisting with the experiment. Results The results will be compiled in the months following the experiment. Chris is considering a variety of possibilities in publicly sharing the process and results of the experiment, including writing articles, a multimedia installation about the experiment, and speaking publicly. If you are from the media, click here to contact Chris.