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'''Psychic powers''' were made possible by by the conscious or unconscious manipulation of [[psychic energy]].  
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'''Psychic powers''', also known as '''Extra-Sensory Perceptions''' ('''ESP'''), ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]'') '''psi powers''', or '''psi abilities''', ([[PROSE]]: ''[[SLEEPY (novel)|SLEEPY]]'') were made possible by the conscious or unconscious manipulation of [[psychic energy]].


==History==
== History ==
Originally related to [[magic]], and still understood as such in many cultures, psychic abilities survived the [[Time Lord]]s' imposition of the laws of physics on the [[universe]] through being sufficiently grounded in science ([[NA]]: ''[[So Vile a Sin]]'').
Originally related to [[magic]] and still understood as such in many cultures, psychic abilities survived the [[Time Lord]]s' imposition of the laws of physics on the [[universe]] by being sufficiently grounded in science. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[So Vile a Sin (novel)|So Vile a Sin]]'')


==Causes of Psychic Ability==
The [[Tenth Doctor]] described psychic abilities as simply, "the ability to see strands of future time." ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Weeping (short story)|The Weeping]]'')
===Natural Racial Abilities===
Some species were innately psychically active - in some cases it was very unusual for an individual of a given species not to manifest psi-powers. These powers could be of any type - for instance, the [[Butterfly Person|Butterfly People]] appeared to be innately [[telepathy|telepathic]], ([[TW]]: ''[[Greeks Bearing Gifts]]'') while it has been strongly implied that some [[Dalek]]s possessed some degree of [[psychokinesis]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[Death to the Daleks]]'')


In some cases it is difficult to tell whether the powers displayed by an individual were unusual for a member of their race or not. [[The Doctor]] and [[Susan]] both displayed [[telepathic]] abilities, but most [[Time Lord]]s did not.
In the [[1890s]], Dr [[Ernst (The Insidious Ideas of the Danger Thinkers)|Ernst]] conducted experiments on natural psychic abilities in humans. Among his test subjects were three women who each had small mental powers on their own, but possessed powerful psychic abilities together. This group, which [[Jenny Flint]] dubbed the "[[Danger Thinkers]]" went on a rampage through London with their newfound abilities before being stopped by the [[Paternoster Gang]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Insidious Ideas of the Danger Thinkers (short story)|The Insidious Ideas of the Danger Thinkers]]'')


Many races had highly unusual innate abilities, but it is often difficult to tell whether these powers were truly psychic (involved the manipulation of [[psychic energy]]) or not.
The [[Soviet Union]] began research into psychic powers before [[World War II]] in the hope of creating a psychic bomb designed to provoke extreme emotions in people. This ambition had been achieved by [[1965]]. The [[United States of America]] also researched psychic powers in the [[1960s]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Peshka (audio story)|Peshka]]'')


Innate psychic ability in [[human]]s is rare, but not unknown. Most humans do have at least some latent psychic potential.  Significant individuals (such as [[William Shakespeare]]), have shown enough latent psychic ability to see psychic paper as blank. This ability may be due to an extra synaptic engram in the brain, which has been seen in the case of individuals with mild [[telepathic]] abilities such as [[Tim Latimer]]. [[Torchwood 1]] personnel had been given basic psychic training, also giving them this ability.
By the [[2090s]], psychic [[assassin]]s existed. [[Benedict Summerfield II]] was one of these assassins. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Dead Romance (novel)|Dead Romance]]'')


The [[Pyrovile]]s also had psychic powers, and were able to give them to humans, which they did to the [[Sibylline Sisterhood]]. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii]]'')
The [[Second Rani]] utilised the psychic power of the 900 prisoners of [[Teccaurora Penitentiary]] to escape to [[Miasimia Goria]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Planet of the Rani (audio story)|Planet of the Rani]]'')


===Mutation Due to External Factors===
== Causes of psychic ability ==
In species that were not normally psi-active, powers could nevertheless still appear given the right stimuli. [[Human]]s living near a [[Time rift]] may develop psychic abilities, which may vanish if the rift is sealed. Prolonged exposure to a [[Metebelis Crystal|Metebelis crystal]] may also result in psychic powers.
=== Natural racial abilities ===
Some species were innately psychically active - in some cases it was very unusual for an individual of a given species not to manifest psi-powers. These powers could be of any type - for instance, the [[Arcateenian]]s appeared to be innately [[telepathy|telepathic]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)|Greeks Bearing Gifts]]'')


It is not known whether the psychic ability of the [[Dalek]]s was a direct result of [[Davros]]'s genetic manipulation, a natural result of the process of mutation, or a freak consequence of the combination of both (the original [[Kaled]]s did not appear psychically active).
A [[Krynoid]] and [[Harrison Chase]] developed a psychic attachment, with Harrison being indoctrinated with the others thoughts. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Seeds of Doom (TV story)|The Seeds of Doom]]'')


==Types of Psychic Ability==
Innate psychic ability in [[human]]s was rare, but not unknown: according to the [[Third Doctor]], they were just dormant in most members of ''Homo sapiens''. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]'') Most humans had at least some latent psychic potential. Significant individuals (such as [[William Shakespeare]]), showed enough latent psychic ability to see [[psychic paper]] as blank. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Shakespeare Code (TV story)|The Shakespeare Code]]'') This ability may have been due to an extra synaptic engram in the brain, which was seen in individuals with mild [[telepathic]] abilities such as [[Tim Latimer]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Family of Blood (TV story)|The Family of Blood]]'') [[Torchwood 1]] personnel were given basic psychic training, also giving them this ability. ([[TV]]: ''[[Army of Ghosts (TV story)|Army of Ghosts]]'')
''See individual articles for full descriptions.''
===Sensory Abilities===
*[[Telepathy]]
*[[Clairvoyance]] (also known as Extra-Sensory Perception)
*[[Precognition]]
*[[Psychometry]]
**Time-sensitivity: the ability to sense disruptions in time and/or reality, or to detect that a given object or person is or has been displaced in time.


===Manipulative Abilities===
=== Mutation due to external factors ===
*[[Psychokinesis]]
In species that were not normally psi-active, powers could nevertheless still appear given the right stimuli. [[Human]]s living near a [[time rift]] developed psychic abilities, ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unquiet Dead (TV story)|The Unquiet Dead]]'', ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]'') which might vanish if the rift were sealed. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Fires of Pompeii (TV story)|The Fires of Pompeii]]'')
*[[Mind control]]


==Artificial Psychic Phenomena==
Due to living on the lip of a wormhole for centuries, human colonists on [[Agelaos]] developed psychic abilities. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Weeping (short story)|The Weeping]]'')
 
== Types of psychic ability ==
=== Sensory abilities ===
There are several psychic abilities that relate to sensory manipulation. One is [[Telepathy]]. The Doctor had a talent for using this ability during his [[Tenth Doctor|tenth]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl in the Fireplace (TV story)|The Girl in the Fireplace]]'') and [[Eleventh Doctor|eleventh]] incarnations. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Lodger (TV story)|The Lodger]]'') There were also [[Clairvoyance]] (also known as Extra-Sensory Perception), ([[TV]]: ''[[The Unquiet Dead (TV story)|The Unquiet Dead]]'') [[Precognition]] ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Dead (TV story)|Planet of the Dead]]'') and [[Psychometry]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'')
 
There is also Time-sensitivity, which is the ability to sense disruptions in time and/or reality, or to detect that a given object or person was displaced in time. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Shakespeare Code (TV story)|The Shakespeare Code]]'', [[PROSE]]: ''[[Prisoner of the Daleks (novel)|Prisoner of the Daleks]]'')
 
[[Empathy]] is also considered a psychic ability, both for humans ([[TV]]: ''[[Hide (TV story)|Hide]]'') and the [[Ood]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Impossible Planet (TV story)|The Impossible Planet]]'')
 
=== Manipulative abilities ===
There are a few known manipulative psychic abilities. These are [[Telekinesis]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Last of the Time Lords (TV story)|Last of the Time Lords]]'', ''[[The Rings of Akhaten (TV story)|The Rings of Akhaten]]'') [[Mind control]] ([[TV]]: ''[[The Two Doctors (TV story)|The Two Doctors]]'') and [[Reality warping]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Nightmare Fair (audio story)|The Nightmare Fair]]'', [[COMIC]]: ''[[Doctor Who and the Iron Legion (comic story)|Doctor Who and the Iron Legion]]'')
 
== Artificial psychic phenomena ==
Psychic energy was normally only produced by living minds, which made it (and the powers utilising it) difficult to study or replicate using conventional technological means.
Psychic energy was normally only produced by living minds, which made it (and the powers utilising it) difficult to study or replicate using conventional technological means.


However, a number of devices were constructed to facilitate or mimic natural psychic powers.
However, a number of devices were constructed to facilitate or mimic natural psychic powers. [[TARDIS]]es generated a [[psychic field]] and incorporated [[telepathic circuits]] to facilitate both short- and long-range communications. ([[TV]]: ''[[Frontier in Space (TV story)|Frontier in Space]]'') The [[Image Reproduction Integrating System|IRIS Machine]] artificially boosted the [[telepathy|telepathic]] potential of human test subjects. ([[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]]'') The [[Arcateenian]]s used [[telepathy pendant]]s for long-range communication. ([[TV]]: ''[[Greeks Bearing Gifts (TV story)|Greeks Bearing Gifts]]'') The [[Coronet of Rassilon]] gave the wearer the power of [[mind control]], even over multiple subjects simultaneously. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Five Doctors (TV story)|The Five Doctors]]'')


* [[TARDIS]]es generated a psychic field and incorporated [[telepathic circuits]] to facilitate both short- and long-range communications.
In their later incarnations, the Doctor routinely carried [[psychic paper]] to save time in establishing his credentials. ([[TV]]: ''[[The End of the World (TV story)|The End of the World]]'', ''[[The Long Game (TV story)|The Long Game]]'' et al.) This ploy was also used by [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Empty Child (TV story)|The Empty Child]]'') [[Psychic credit card]]s were used by the Doctor to hold money. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Only Human (novel)|Only Human]]'')
* The [[IRIS Machine]] artificially boosted the [[telepathy|telepathic]] potential of Human test subjects. ([[DW]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders]]'')
* The [[Butterfly Person|Butterfly People]] used [[telepathy pendant]]s for long-range communication. ([[TW]]: ''[[Greeks Bearing Gifts]]'')  
* The [[Coronet of Rassilon]] gave the wearer the power of [[mind control]], even over multiple subjects simultaneously. ([[DW]]: ''[[The Five Doctors]]'')
* In his later incarnations the Doctor routinely carried [[psychic paper]] to save time in establishing his credentials. This ploy was also used by the adventurer known as [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]].


[[Category:Psychic powers|*]]
[[Category:Magic]]
[[Category:Theories and Concepts]]
[[Category:Psychic powers| *]]
[[Category:Concepts]]

Latest revision as of 17:12, 21 October 2024

Psychic power

Psychic powers, also known as Extra-Sensory Perceptions (ESP), (TV: Planet of the Spiders) psi powers, or psi abilities, (PROSE: SLEEPY) were made possible by the conscious or unconscious manipulation of psychic energy.

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Originally related to magic and still understood as such in many cultures, psychic abilities survived the Time Lords' imposition of the laws of physics on the universe by being sufficiently grounded in science. (PROSE: So Vile a Sin)

The Tenth Doctor described psychic abilities as simply, "the ability to see strands of future time." (PROSE: The Weeping)

In the 1890s, Dr Ernst conducted experiments on natural psychic abilities in humans. Among his test subjects were three women who each had small mental powers on their own, but possessed powerful psychic abilities together. This group, which Jenny Flint dubbed the "Danger Thinkers" went on a rampage through London with their newfound abilities before being stopped by the Paternoster Gang. (PROSE: The Insidious Ideas of the Danger Thinkers)

The Soviet Union began research into psychic powers before World War II in the hope of creating a psychic bomb designed to provoke extreme emotions in people. This ambition had been achieved by 1965. The United States of America also researched psychic powers in the 1960s. (AUDIO: Peshka)

By the 2090s, psychic assassins existed. Benedict Summerfield II was one of these assassins. (PROSE: Dead Romance)

The Second Rani utilised the psychic power of the 900 prisoners of Teccaurora Penitentiary to escape to Miasimia Goria. (AUDIO: Planet of the Rani)

Causes of psychic ability[[edit] | [edit source]]

Natural racial abilities[[edit] | [edit source]]

Some species were innately psychically active - in some cases it was very unusual for an individual of a given species not to manifest psi-powers. These powers could be of any type - for instance, the Arcateenians appeared to be innately telepathic. (TV: Greeks Bearing Gifts)

A Krynoid and Harrison Chase developed a psychic attachment, with Harrison being indoctrinated with the others thoughts. (TV: The Seeds of Doom)

Innate psychic ability in humans was rare, but not unknown: according to the Third Doctor, they were just dormant in most members of Homo sapiens. (TV: Planet of the Spiders) Most humans had at least some latent psychic potential. Significant individuals (such as William Shakespeare), showed enough latent psychic ability to see psychic paper as blank. (TV: The Shakespeare Code) This ability may have been due to an extra synaptic engram in the brain, which was seen in individuals with mild telepathic abilities such as Tim Latimer. (TV: The Family of Blood) Torchwood 1 personnel were given basic psychic training, also giving them this ability. (TV: Army of Ghosts)

Mutation due to external factors[[edit] | [edit source]]

In species that were not normally psi-active, powers could nevertheless still appear given the right stimuli. Humans living near a time rift developed psychic abilities, (TV: The Unquiet Dead, The Fires of Pompeii) which might vanish if the rift were sealed. (TV: The Fires of Pompeii)

Due to living on the lip of a wormhole for centuries, human colonists on Agelaos developed psychic abilities. (PROSE: The Weeping)

Types of psychic ability[[edit] | [edit source]]

Sensory abilities[[edit] | [edit source]]

There are several psychic abilities that relate to sensory manipulation. One is Telepathy. The Doctor had a talent for using this ability during his tenth (TV: The Girl in the Fireplace) and eleventh incarnations. (TV: The Lodger) There were also Clairvoyance (also known as Extra-Sensory Perception), (TV: The Unquiet Dead) Precognition (TV: Planet of the Dead) and Psychometry. (TV: The Rings of Akhaten)

There is also Time-sensitivity, which is the ability to sense disruptions in time and/or reality, or to detect that a given object or person was displaced in time. (TV: The Shakespeare Code, PROSE: Prisoner of the Daleks)

Empathy is also considered a psychic ability, both for humans (TV: Hide) and the Ood. (TV: The Impossible Planet)

Manipulative abilities[[edit] | [edit source]]

There are a few known manipulative psychic abilities. These are Telekinesis, (TV: Last of the Time Lords, The Rings of Akhaten) Mind control (TV: The Two Doctors) and Reality warping. (AUDIO: The Nightmare Fair, COMIC: Doctor Who and the Iron Legion)

Artificial psychic phenomena[[edit] | [edit source]]

Psychic energy was normally only produced by living minds, which made it (and the powers utilising it) difficult to study or replicate using conventional technological means.

However, a number of devices were constructed to facilitate or mimic natural psychic powers. TARDISes generated a psychic field and incorporated telepathic circuits to facilitate both short- and long-range communications. (TV: Frontier in Space) The IRIS Machine artificially boosted the telepathic potential of human test subjects. (TV: Planet of the Spiders) The Arcateenians used telepathy pendants for long-range communication. (TV: Greeks Bearing Gifts) The Coronet of Rassilon gave the wearer the power of mind control, even over multiple subjects simultaneously. (TV: The Five Doctors)

In their later incarnations, the Doctor routinely carried psychic paper to save time in establishing his credentials. (TV: The End of the World, The Long Game et al.) This ploy was also used by Captain Jack Harkness. (TV: The Empty Child) Psychic credit cards were used by the Doctor to hold money. (PROSE: Only Human)

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