Ouija: History, Controversy, and the Ideomotor Effect

Ouija boards, also known as talking boards, are flat boards used with a planchette to supposedly communicate with spirits. Their history traces back to spiritualist practices in the late 19th century, though similar methods existed earlier in China. While marketed as a parlor game, the Ouija board's use is viewed by many as occult and dangerous, prompting warnings from various religious groups. Scientifically, its movements are attributed to the ideomotor effect, unconscious muscle movements, not supernatural forces. Despite scientific explanations, beliefs in the board's supernatural abilities persist, fueling both fear and fascination.