Affectability

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Affectability

A term coined by parapsychologist Charles Stuart implying susceptibility to feedback in a situation where the subject in an ESP test is told the score on the previous run and asked to estimate the score on the next run. In this context, "affectable" subjects were those who consistently gave estimates that reflected their score on the immediately previous run; "unaffectable subjects" were not so influenced. Stuart also used the term "affectable" for subjects who were markedly extreme in expressing likes or dislikes to various possible interests, while "unaffectable" subjects were relatively indifferent to many of these interests. By measurement on a Stuart Interest Inventory, Stuart claimed that unaffectable subjects appeared to score higher than affectable on ESP perception. However, the term "affectability" can be applied generally to the degree of suggestibility of a subject.

Sources:

Stuart, Charles. "An Analysis to Determine a Test Predictive of Extra-chance Scoring in Card-calling Tests." Journal of Parapsychology vol. 5 (1941).

. "An Interest Inventory Relation to ESP Scores." Journal of Parapsychology vol. 10 (1946).