psykometre

Psykometre is a term used in speculative and parapsychological literature to denote an instrument designed to quantify psychical phenomena or to extract information by means of psychometry. In fiction and some fringe research, the device is described as capable of detecting subtle psychic resonances, memories attached to objects, or the mental state of a person without direct verbal communication. In mainstream science, psykometre is not recognized as a validated instrument, and the existence of measurable psychic energies remains unproven.

Design and operation: A hypothetical psykometre would integrate multiple sensors—neural, physiological, and contact-based inputs. Possible components include electroencephalography (EEG) for brain activity, galvanic skin response for arousal, heart rate variability, and perhaps an interface for touching an object to access residual impressions. The instrument would output a numerical score or profile intended to represent a subject's psychical state or the strength of a purported psychic connection.

Applications and limitations: In fiction, psykometres drive investigative plots or character development. In speculative discourse, they illustrate attempts to quantify subjective experiences. Real-world use is limited by a lack of methodological consensus, susceptibility to bias and deception, and questions of measurement validity. Ethical concerns include privacy, consent, and the potential for misinterpretation of results.

See also psychometry, parapsychology, metrology, EEG.