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Sensitive

The term "sensitive," often interchangeable with "psychic," refers to a person with psychic powers, but eschews communication with the dead. A sensitive is thus distinguished from the "medium," or "channel." A medium is usually also a sensitive. According to Spiritualism, a medium is not necessarily a sensitive but may be simply an instrument for spirit communication. (It must be remembered that such a distinction was made in the days in which may "mediums" accepted by the movement were frauds. This distinction explained why they made no pretense of being "psychic" except in the séance room.)

Sensitives ordinarily believe that their psychic abilities are a natural ability that they possess to a greater degree than most, either through natural endowment or a process of psychic development. Many believe in reincarnation, a belief that is often incompatible with Spiritualist contact with the dead, and they may explain many events (such as seeing an apparition) that Spiritualists ascribe to spirit agency to memories from previous lives. Sensitives may specialize in one form of psychic ability, be it psychometry, precognition, telepathy, or clairvoyance. Many emerge as healers with some ability in psychokinesis.

During the nineteenth century, prior to the rise of Spiritualism, German scientist Baron Karl von Reichenbach conducted numerous experiments with "sensitives" in order to validate his concept of a mysterious vital force in nature which he termed "od" or "odyle." These individuals, drawn from all walks of life, were selected on the basis of specific sensitive reactions— feelings of pleasant coolness or alternatively disagreeable feelings in relation to other people or to metals, as well as reactions to colors and foods.