parakinesis

Parakinesis is a term used to describe the purported ability to influence physical systems, energy, or matter through mental processes alone. The word combines Greek para- “beside, beyond” with kinesis “movement.” In some usages, parakinesis is synonymous with psychokinesis or telekinesis, while others reserve parakinesis for broader or more speculative forms of psi that involve non-material energy manipulation.

Historical context: Interest in parakinesis emerged from early 20th-century psychical research and the broader study of parapsychology. Investigations of claimed abilities—such as influencing dice outcomes, moving objects, or affecting electrical devices—were conducted under laboratory conditions, but results were inconsistent and often criticized for methodological flaws, inadequately controlled stimuli, or fraud.

Scientific status: There is no credible evidence that parakinesis exists under controlled conditions. The mainstream scientific view is that reports of parakinetic phenomena can often be explained by cognitive bias, misperception, experimenter effects, or deception. Attempts to demonstrate robust effects under stringent protocols have not produced replicable results, and meta-analyses have not established reliable effects beyond chance.

Cultural presence: Parakinesis frequently appears in science fiction and fantasy as a power enabling direct control of objects or energies at a distance. In those contexts, the concept serves as a narrative device rather than a proven phenomenon.

See also: Psychokinesis, Telekinesis, Parapsychology, ESP.