https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz en-us 2020-03-28 22:27:48 UTC 2025-11-02 02:32:08 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-uploads.storage.googleapis.com/458086657/7a0d284bffe29595dc82904ab1c578c9/psychic_stock_image.jpg amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480001885 Made by: Amanda Downs, working individually]]> 2020-03-28 22:45:59 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480001885 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480865974 Description:
This website describes the story of Louis Baragona going to get a reading by a medium for the first time. It explains how he was a skeptic of mediums his whole life. However, that all changed when he met Emily Grote. She began giving details about his grandma who had passed away. He was blown away by the amount of detail she was able to provide him with in regards to his grandma. The article also explains Emily Grove's background as a medium and her perception of skepticism.

Connection:
This website connects to Perception and Observation because when combining personal beliefs with observation it helps create a sense what is true and influences our perception. For example, initially, Louis Baragona was a skeptic of mediums and was worried that she would tell him bunch of things that weren't true and he'd have to awkwardly deny them. However he was proved wrong;  "I walked away with a whole new perception of psychic energy and intuition." By applying the critical thinking process and skepticism to mediums would be helpful to evaluate an individuals reason for belief or disbelief. In addition, people may be caught up in their emotional connection as they want to connect with a loved one. Which could cloud their ability to think critically. A flaw within this website is the authenticity of the source. This website was written by Louis who wrote about his experience with a medium. Simply because he believes in their abilities and his experience was positive with mediums, does not confirm authenticity or that everyone will have the same ideology of the subject.  ]]> 2020-03-29 19:15:47 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480865974 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480880181 Description:
This website describes a mediums goal which is to
to provide evidence, without doubt, of existence of life after “death." It explains that a medium is a bridge between two worlds. They are able to send and receive information from the spirit world, and they communicate between the life of the ‘here and now’ world and the spirit side of life. This website also states that there are three main areas of mediumship; mental, physical and spiritual healing.

Connection:
This website connects to Mystical Energy as it explains what mediumship is and the energy mediums possess. In pseudoscience, energy is a term used for almost anything that doesn't have a scientific explanation, often times for explaining emotion and spiritual concepts. In addition, Confirmation Bias can be applied as a medium created the website to share her insights, give details pertaining to her practice and to provide the public with an overall understanding of the different areas of mediumship. However, the medium could be omitting information that contradicts her beliefs/practice. Meaning, that this website would only be providing the public with the impression that mediumship is real. With this, it is the websites flaw. Potentially being bias when providing background on mediumship due to her own personal beliefs and practices.
By applying the critical thinking process and skepticism to mediumship would allow for individuals to develop their own perception and beliefs on the topic, rather than being influenced by information and stories provided by a believer. ]]> 2020-03-29 19:28:44 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480880181 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480897841 Description:
This website describes what mediumship is and where it originated from. It explains the types of mediums and the different impacts they have. However, this website primarily focuses on the perspective of the theories of mediumship. It states the four main theories to explain the phenomena of mediumship are skeptical, psychological, spiritualist and parapsychological. The skeptical and psychological theories offer explanations for mediumship involving no paranormal activity. Whereas, spiritualist and parapsychological approaches, accept that there are paranormal features to be explained.

Connection:
This website connects to Ideology because skeptics believe that mediums abilities are a result of fraud, deception, faulty perception, or misinterpretation of natural phenomena. From an ideological position of skepticism, the purpose is to expose mediums by discovering trickery or by proposing natural explanations, meanwhile not considering all available evidence. This ties into Confirmation Bias. They ignore the evidence that supports the accuracy and truth behind mediums to support their own beliefs of mediums being fake. With the information provided by this website I believe that it would make others believe i mediumship. It provides thorough detail of the history behind mediums and their abilities as well as explains the different aspects of mediums to allow for people to grasp the concept of mediumship. By applying the critical thinking process would allow for individuals to evaluate the information and create their own perception on the topic. This website is theory based which creates limitations as it provides a historical/scientific image of mediums as opposed to mystical energy. ]]> 2020-03-29 19:44:21 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/480897841 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483164106 Description:
This video explains what Long Island Medium, Theresa Caputo, experiences when channeling spirits. She describes how she begins to sense things or receives a specific energy from the other side. She believes that her roll is to convey information from the other side to present day. To connect others with loved ones and to provide a sense of closure or comfort. The video also shows clips of a couple readings she has done with people and celebrities, in which all of them are blown away by the amount of personal details she is able to communicate that she receives from the souls of the departed. Theresa describes her abilities as a true honour and privilege to be able to channel the souls.

Connection:
This video connects to Mystical Energy as Theresa describes the "feeling" she gets when a spirit is present and is trying to communicate with her. She describes this energy she receives and how she channels that into the work she does; mediumship. This video could also contribute to the Perception and Observation of those watching the video. By hearing about her life and seeing clips of her readings; you would lead to believe that mediums are real. This video provides us with a sense of evidence supporting her readings and abilities. From a skeptic point of view, this video could look staged or the information could be interpreted as faulty. The clips of her readings aren't long enough to provide solid evidence that the information is accurate. A flaw within this video is the lack of evidence. Theresa's "word" is the only information to rely on in terms of understanding mediums. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:39:39 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483164106 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483177693 Description:
This video is an interview between Larry King and celebrity medium, Tyler Henry. Larry, seeming to be a skeptic of mediums, asks him tough questions about his discovery of his abilities, what it's like doing readings, his perception of skeptics and building trust surrounding mediums. One main aspect Larry focuses on is the fact that mediums haven't been scientifically proven; there are no cold hard facts to support that their work is real.

Connection:
This video connects to the Ideology of mediums and trying to decipher between what is true and what is not. He states in the video that science has not been open enough to the ideology of mediums. Tyler expresses that a lot of work needs to be done on the realm of mediums for people to start to believe more. In addition, Tyler touches on Perception and Observation in regards to people's predetermined assumptions of mediums. He also discusses that with perception and observation comes skepticism. He states that unless you have had a personal experience or emotional connection with mediumship, he understands why they are a skeptic. Due to the fact that there is no scientific proof. By applying the critical thinking process would allow for grasping the ideology of mediums and would help in developing belief in mediums. One limitation within this video is the ability to critically analyze mediums from different lenses. As this interviewee is a medium himself, obviously, he is going to describe and provide information surrounding mediums from a positive and truthful standpoint. This creates a potential bias in others perceptions as they watch this interview. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:49:44 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483177693 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483179468 Description:
This video is medium Theresa Caputo doing readings on a few audience members from the Ellen Show. It displays the overwhelming emotions of mediumship and provides evidence supporting the authenticity of mediums. She communicates with their loved ones that have passed and begins to talk about personal memories or items that the spirit is communicating to her. She provides them with comfort in knowing that their loved ones souls and spirit are always with them. This video showcases Theresa's gift and provides viewers with evidence that mediums are real. 

Connection:
This video connects to Perception and Observation which was demonstrated by one man in this video. He shares that he was a skeptic of mediums before he went on the show, but with the insights Theresa shares with him, he is blown away. He even stated that the things Theresa was saying, no one knew but his wife. In this video we see a shift in perception of mediums as he became a believer in mediums after having a personal experience with one. In addition, emotional connection is a major aspect of this video. The audience members that got a reading were all emotionally connected to a loved one that had passed and gone to the other side. By applying the critical thinking process it allows for us to have a reason for belief. There is so much evidence of the authenticity of mediums in this video. By simply looking at the "facts" of this video, it is hard to be skeptical of her abilities. However, watching this video through a skeptic sense, one could say that talked with audience members prior to being on air so she had a background of their loved ones. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:51:00 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483179468 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483179827 Description:
This picture is a visual representation of skeptics and fake news surrounding mediums. This picture depicts the stories and skepticism of mediums which leads people confused as to what to believe.

Connection:
This image connects to the people's Perception and Observations of mediums. It portrays a skeptical outlook on mediums as they believe they are frauds. Specifically with this image, it gives an impression of a medium admitting to being a liar and that mediumship isn't real. This could hinder people's perception of mediums and could influence their reason for belief. This image's flaw could be providing someone with a false sense of a medium's ability. They may be bias, so putting this picture out, can be highly influential to others as well, whether it is true or not. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:51:12 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483179827 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483179988 Description: 
This image portrays a mediums ability to communicate with those who have passed to the other side. Mediums are seen to be the bridge between present life and past life. They receive messages from people who have passed away and communicate with those who are living, to bring them a sense of understanding and comfort. Mediums are seen to obtain a "special power" by channeling souls and energy that allow for them to do the extraordinary.

Connection:
This image portrays the Mystical Energy that mediums possess; the ability to communicate with late souls. In addition, mediumship is a very controversial topic and a lot of it is based off people's perception and observation as well as their emotional connection. For those who believe in mediums, it brings them a sense of comfort and clarity as they feel close with their loved ones that have passed. Believing in mediums connects you with positive energy and past souls which can bring you happiness and closure in life. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:51:19 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483179988 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483180149 Description:
This image portrays the gimmicky, "Hollywood" perception of what a medium is. Often, people think of a medium as a version of a psychic that has a crystal ball, reads your palms and connects with the dead. Although, different mediums have different means in which they use to connect with the other side, this perception of mediums is what gives mediumship that fraud persona.

Connection:
This image connects to Perception and Observation because people's reasons for belief are based on their perception and observations surrounding the topic; in this case, mediums. In addition, if people have only had "Hollywood"  exposure to mediums and their practice, this will heavily influence their beliefs. Also this image demonstrates the aura of mystical energy surrounding crystals, light and objects. By applying the critical thinking process it allows for us to see through the "phoney" information surrounding mediumship; critically looking at all the evidence and facts. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:51:26 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483180149 amandadowns1999 https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483180275 1. What I learned about mediums that most surprised me was their ability to actually communicate with those who have crossed over and the process in which they do so. It comes from an energy they receive as the soul is reaching out to them. I found this not only inspiring but comforting that there is life after death.

2. When I was younger I would watch Long Island Medium on TV and I was always so fascinated with her ability to connect with loved ones and provide such accurate insight and information to those who she read. I never truly knew whether or not I believed completely in mediums because I thought it may have been scripted as it was a TV show. However, I have always wanted to have a reading to connect with my grandparents who have passed. I would love to have that personal experience to confirm my perception on mediums.

3. The research I found the most interesting was the videos I had watched. It was so fascinating watching how impactful mediums can be on a persons life and how accurate the readings are. Watching people be shocked by the information mediums are conveying to them is so interesting and inspiring.

4. I am most likely to remember people's perceptions of mediums changing after having a personal experience with one. Even skeptics were having a change of perception once they had a reading. It makes me curious as to how my perception would change if I were to have a reading. Would I then 100% believe in mediums?

5. I believe that the most harmful pseudoscience belief is relying on others perceptions and information and making decisions based on that. For example, giving into biases or appealing to authority can be harmful to individuals. I believe that the least harmful pseudoscience belief is mystical energy. The belief in energy could never be harmful to an individual but provides them with a sense of comfort and understanding of how some things work. 

6. If I were to pass on this information to a family member or friend I would emphasize the importance of keeping an open mind when talking about pseudoscience and not giving into the biases and false perceptions that are put out there. In addition, I would articulate the importance of looking at all the evidence and facts before making an assumption. For example, with mediums, it is important to understand that all mediums and souls are different. Mediums hold a special gift that cannot be confirmed or explained by science, it's more so a feeling. Therefore, mediumship is open for your own interpretation and what you want to get from it. ]]> 2020-03-30 20:51:33 UTC https://padlet.com/amandadowns1999/wkcmnxnpd4dz/wish/483180275