Definition & Meaning of "mentalism"

What is "mentalism"?

Mentalism is a branch of magic that focuses on creating the illusion of extraordinary mental abilities, such as telepathy, mind reading, or predicting future events. Performers, known as mentalists, use techniques like psychological manipulation, suggestion, and clever sleight of hand to create the appearance of having supernatural mental powers. The tricks often involve guessing personal information, influencing choices, or revealing thoughts and secrets, leaving the audience amazed by the mentalist’s seemingly uncanny abilities. Mentalism relies heavily on the performer’s skill in understanding human behavior and perception to create a convincing and intriguing experience.