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Belief in psychic phenomena is widespread in the United States, where a 2005 Gallup poll revealed that 41 percent of Americans believe in extra-sensory perception. Psychics appear regularly in fiction and science fiction, such as the The Dead Zone by Stephen King and Jean Grey from the Marvel comic book universe. A multi-billion dollar industry exists today on both large- and small-scales where psychics provide advice and counsel to millions of clients. Some famous contemporary psychics include Miss Cleo, Sylvia Browne, and John Edward.Facts: date=October 2008 They have all been subject to critiques by debunkers who attribute the putative psychic powers of these individuals to intentional trickery or self-delusion.

Parapsychologists have claimed that there is evidence for extrasensory perception and psychokinesis, although their work is not published in peer reviewed journals.Fact: date=October 2008 The scientific community has not accepted this work, and no compelling evidence of psychic phenomena has been found in more than 75 years of experiments being carried out. A recent study using neuroimaging claims to have found the strongest evidence yet obtained that paranormal mental phenomena do not exist. In 1988 the U.S. National Academy of Sciences gave a report on the subject that concluded there is "no scientific justification from research conducted over a period of 130 years for the existence of parapsychological phenomena."

Etymology

The word psychic is derived from the Greek word psychikos (of the soul/mental) and refers in part to the human mind or psyche (ex. "psychic turmoil"). French astronomer and spiritualist Camille Flammarion is credited as having first used the word psychic, while it was later introduced to the English language by Edward William Cox in the 1870s.

Early seers and prophets

Seers formed a functionary role in early civilization, often serving as advisors, priests, and judges. A number of examples are included in biblical accounts. The book of 1 Samuel (Chapter 9) illustrates one such functionary task when Samuel is asked to locate the donkeys of the future king Saul. The role of prophet appeared perennially in ancient cultures. In Egypt, the priests of Ra at Memphis acted as seers. In ancient Assyria seers were referred to as nabu, meaning "to call" or "announce".

The Delphic Oracle is one of the earliest stories in classical antiquity of prophetic abilities. The Pythia, the priestess presiding over the Oracle of Apollo at Delphi, was believed to be able to deliver prophecies inspired by Apollo during rituals beginning in the 8th century BC.Morgan 1990, p. 148. It is often said that the Pythia delivered oracles in a frenzied state induced by vapors rising from the ground, and that she spoke gibberish, believed to be the voice of Apollo, which priests reshaped into the enigmatic prophecies preserved in Greek literature.Fact: date=October 2008