ABSTRACT
Cold reading is a procedure during which the readers are able to convince people they have never met that they are familiar with everything there is to know about them. As a rule, such a reading is comprised of very general statements (known in psychological literature as "stock spiels") applicable to almost anyone. Seemingly, it provides the clients with information that they believe to be tailored to their circumstances and personalities. All the nonscientific practices described in this book can be characterized as cold reading, and in this chapter, it is demonstrated by the use of Tarot cards. The research designed to reveal the mechanism underlying cold reading is described in addition to how cold readers operate and the cost clients are willing to pay for their advice.
