What is the sixth sense power called?

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

An estimated two-thirds of people in the United States believe in the existence of extrasensory perception, the term for what is colloquially known as the sixth sense. So, what is the sixth sense power called, and how do science and parapsychology define this intriguing concept?

Quick Summary

The sixth sense is most commonly referred to as extrasensory perception (ESP) in parapsychology, which includes abilities like clairvoyance and telepathy, though scientists link some aspects to intuition and proprioception. The term encompasses perception beyond the five traditional senses, leading to diverse and fascinating interpretations.

Key Points

Extrasensory Perception (ESP): This is the most common term for paranormal abilities often referred to as the sixth sense, including clairvoyance and telepathy.
Intuition: Psychologically, the sixth sense can be understood as intuition, a rapid, unconscious process of pattern recognition based on past experiences.
Proprioception: The scientifically recognized "sixth sense" is proprioception, which is the body's awareness of its own position and movement in space.
Scientific Debate: The existence of paranormal ESP is highly debated and lacks conclusive scientific evidence, with many reported incidents explained by psychological phenomena.
Mindful Awareness: Practices like meditation and journaling can help people better tune into their natural intuitive feelings and body signals.
Not a Single Power: The "sixth sense" is not one single ability but a concept that incorporates a range of paranormal claims, psychological functions, and physical senses.

Extrasensory Perception (ESP): The Common Term

Historically, the most common term for the sixth sense, particularly in parapsychology, is extrasensory perception (ESP). The term was popularized by botanist J.B. Rhine of Duke University in the 1930s to describe psychic abilities that appear to function independently of the known sensory channels. ESP is often described as the reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses—sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell—but instead received or sensed by the mind. While many people associate the sixth sense with paranormal abilities, there are different interpretations and scientific explorations of this phenomenon.

The Spectrum of Extrasensory Perception

Within the broader category of ESP, several specific abilities are often mentioned. These are phenomena that parapsychologists and believers claim fall under the sixth sense umbrella, even though the scientific community largely classifies them as pseudoscience. These include:

Clairvoyance: The purported ability to gain information about an object, person, or event that is not physically present. The French roots of the word mean "clear vision," suggesting a form of seeing beyond the conventional senses.
Precognition: The alleged ability to perceive or predict future events. This might manifest as dreams or visions that later come true, or simply a "feeling" that something is about to happen.
Telepathy: The ability to transfer thoughts, feelings, or mental states from one person to another without using any known sensory channels.
Retrocognition: The claimed ability to gain information about a past event that was not personally experienced.

The Scientific View: Intuition and Proprioception

For many in the scientific and medical communities, the so-called sixth sense is explained by less mystical and more physiological and psychological processes. Instead of a supernatural ability, they point to human intuition and a lesser-known, tangible sixth sense called proprioception.

The Power of Intuition

Psychologists view intuition not as a magical power but as a form of rapid cognition or pattern recognition. It is often described as an inner knowing or "gut feeling" that results from the unconscious mind processing a vast amount of past experiences, knowledge, and patterns at a much faster rate than conscious thought. A person's intuition can guide decisions based on this swift, subconscious analysis of a situation, allowing them to draw on knowledge they might not even be consciously aware they possess. While intuition can be powerful, it is also subject to cognitive biases and emotional states, making it an imperfect guide.

The Anatomical Sixth Sense: Proprioception

On a physiological level, there is a legitimate and scientifically recognized "sixth sense" known as proprioception. This is the body's ability to sense its position, movement, and action without needing to look. Receptors in your muscles, joints, and tendons, known as mechanoreceptors, continuously send information to your brain, allowing you to know where your limbs are in space. Proprioception is what enables you to touch your nose with your eyes closed or to walk without having to constantly watch your feet. For some individuals with rare genetic mutations, the loss of this vital sense can be profoundly debilitating, highlighting its importance to human function.

Comparing Interpretations of the Sixth Sense

To better understand the different facets of this concept, let's compare the paranormal and scientific interpretations.


Feature	Extrasensory Perception (ESP)	Scientific Explanation (Intuition/Proprioception)
Basis	Attributed to paranormal or psychic abilities, often beyond scientific understanding.	Based on known biological and cognitive functions of the human body and brain.
Mechanism	Reception of information via non-sensory means, such as mental telepathy or clairvoyant visions.	Unconscious pattern recognition (intuition) and a network of sensory receptors in muscles and joints (proprioception).
Verification	Lacks conclusive scientific evidence, with most studies showing results no better than chance.	Can be observed, tested, and explained through neurological and psychological research.
Scope	Encompasses a wide range of psychic abilities, including precognition and clairvoyance.	Focuses on the tangible body-awareness (proprioception) and psychological processing (intuition).

Embracing a Mindful Connection

Regardless of whether one believes in the paranormal or leans towards a scientific explanation, the concept of a "sixth sense" points to a deeper connection to oneself and the world. Developing a more profound awareness of your inner state and external environment is beneficial for overall wellness. Practicing mindfulness and meditation can help you quiet your conscious mind and become more attuned to your subconscious cues and physical sensations. Keeping a journal can also help track and understand your instinctive feelings and body responses. By paying closer attention to these internal signals, you can cultivate a stronger sense of self-awareness and improve decision-making.

For more information on the mind-body connection and its role in human health, you can visit the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Conclusion: A Multifaceted Phenomenon

Ultimately, there is no single answer to what the sixth sense power is called, as the term encompasses both scientific concepts and paranormal claims. While Extrasensory Perception (ESP) is the most popular term for psychic abilities, scientific evidence points to intuition and proprioception as the natural phenomena responsible for the experiences we might describe as a sixth sense. Whether you are a believer in psychic powers or a skeptic, understanding these different interpretations offers valuable insight into the fascinating complexity of the human mind and body. This understanding can help improve decision-making and foster a deeper self-awareness, contributing to better overall health.

Frequently Asked Questions

From a scientific perspective, the "sixth sense" is not a single paranormal power but is explained by two primary concepts: intuition and proprioception. Intuition is the brain's rapid, unconscious pattern recognition, while proprioception is the body's sensory system for self-awareness in space.

Examples of phenomena categorized as ESP by parapsychologists include clairvoyance (seeing things not present), telepathy (mind-to-mind communication), and precognition (predicting future events).

The scientific community largely considers ESP to be a pseudoscientific concept, as decades of research have failed to produce conclusive, replicable evidence of its existence. Reported instances of ESP are often attributed to confirmation bias or chance.

Intuition is a psychological process based on a person's life experience, knowledge, and unconscious processing. A paranormal sixth sense, by contrast, is a claim of receiving information through means that defy the known laws of science.

The medical and neurological term for the body's awareness of its position and movement is proprioception. This system relies on sensors in our muscles and joints to inform the brain about where our body parts are located.

While the existence of paranormal ESP is unproven, everyone can improve their natural intuitive abilities. This is achieved by practicing mindfulness, meditation, and paying closer attention to gut feelings and subconscious signals.

Belief in a sixth sense can be heavily influenced by culture and personality. In many cultures, intuitive or spiritual experiences are highly valued and integrated into belief systems, contrasting with a modern Western emphasis on logic and empirical evidence.