History Main / PstandardPsychicPStance

* Jun Lee from ''Anime/GenesisOfAquarion'' uses a slightly modified version of the stance when applying his "psychography" skill to see the unseen: rather than putting his fingers to his temples, he puts his fingers just above his eyebrows, forming a triangular bridge over his eyes. He's pointing his fingers to the center of his forehead, which is said to be where the 'third eye' is in yoga.

* ''ComicBook/{{Superman}}'':

** Saturn Girl from the ''ComicBook/LegionOfSuperHeroes'' takes one or both hands to her head when she uses her telepathy more often than not.

** In ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'', when Yoda was holding up a pillar to prevent some other Jedi from being crushed by it, he was using both hands and shaking besides.

* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''

** ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}''
* Psyduck, a Pokémon with access to psychic moves such as Confusion, is always depicted looking off into space with both paws on its temples. Oddly enough, despite the "Psy" part of its name, it isn't actually a Psychic-type Pokémon, nor is its evolved form Golduck (both are pure Water-type Pokémon). That's mostly because Psyduck also always have constant headaches. It's sort of a double meaning; they're holding their heads because it well, hurts. It just so happens they're doing this when using their psychic powers, too.

* Psyduck, a Franchise/{{Pokemon}} with access to psychic moves such as Confusion, is always depicted looking off into space with both paws on its temples. Oddly enough, despite the "Psy" part of its name, it isn't actually a Psychic-type Pokémon, nor is its evolved form Golduck (both are pure Water-type Pokémon). That's mostly because Psyduck also always have constant headaches. It's sort of a double meaning; they're holding their heads because it well, hurts. It just so happens they're doing this when using their psychic powers, too.

* In the film version of ''Film/{{Matilda}}'', the eponymous telekinetic girl usually would use the stare and squint version to use her powers, though she frequently slipped into gesture-based invocation. One particular example is near the end, when she twirls her forearm around in a circle to make the globe that Trunchbull was on top of spin rapidly.

* Subverted by Maddie Sullivan of ''ComicBook/AstroCity.'' When she uses her telekinetic powers, she extends her thumb and pinkie, then puts the thumb to her lips.
* In ''ComicBook/{{Bone}}'', Thorn and Gran'ma Ben hold two fingers vertically in front of one eye when using their Veni-yan-cari powers.
* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

* Mastermind Excello of ''ComicBook/TheTwelve'', being a forties sensitive, constantly has this pose. Either because he's doing his ultra-senses thing, or because he's having headaches from all the noise he inadvertently senses.
* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** In early comics, Professor X was often depicted (as an icon on the cover, but seldom in an actual story) doing a ''double'' hand-to-temple gesture, like someone trying to salute with both hands at once. However, Jean Grey rarely used hand gestures with her telekinetic powers. This is because they're using two different powers: Professor Xavier is the most powerful telepath in the Marvel Universe, but he has no telekinesis whatsoever. Prof. Xavier, Jean Grey and almost every other telepathic character depicted in the ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' do the hand-to-head gesture when using the telepathy -- but ''not'' when using telekinesis.

* ''Film/DarkCity'' uses this one, especially late on. [[spoiler:When the main character uses his Tuning ability, he usually just points his forehead at the target. Sounds subtle, but makes the final fight look a bit like a neanderthal StaringContest with ripple effects.]]

Whenever someone uses their PsychicPowers, they put a hand up to their head, most traditionally with the middle and fore fingers on the brow and thumb on or very near the jaw. If they're doing something really hard, it takes ''both'' hands on their temples. If it's something ''really'' difficult, they have to use both hands -- and ''quiver'', and maybe [[PsychicNosebleed bleed from the nose]].

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'', Doctor Orpheus does this whenever he necromances. Or says hello, ''or'' uses telekinesis to [[MundaneUtility make]] [[MundaneMadeAwesome fritatas]].

* In Series/GoodOmens2019 when Crowley and Aziraphale meet in the park after [[spoiler:they switch bodies]], Aziraphale [[spoiler:actually Crowley-as-Aziraphale]] briefly closes his eyes and presses his fingers to his temples when he checks the surroundings, to make sure no one is looking at them, before they [[spoiler:switch back]].

** In ComicBook/Supergirl1972'', ComicBook/{{Supergirl}} befriends a telepath and precognitive called Wanda. Wanda takes both hands on their temples when she uses her psychic powers.

* Done by Lieutenant Commander Cadrat Vareni in ''FanFic/GoldenAge'' when the Alternian Empire attacks Excelsis-Five. This is lampshaded by Karkat.

** The people with the ability to read minds can do this almost passively. But if they need to focus at all (for example reading an unwilling person's mind, or trying to read another mind reader's mind), it seems they need a sudden twitch movement of their head (and intensive staring) to kick their power into action. And there is the [[PsychicNosebleed Psychic Nosebleed]] if they have to try too hard. Again, Peter always needs this head flick to use the power.

* ''Series/ThatsSoRaven'''s star Raven has her own nonstandard psychic stance -- whenever she gets a vision, she shakes her head slightly and stares into the camera with a shocked look on her face. Lampshaded in the Crossover ''That's So Suite Life of Hanna Montanta'':

'''Cody:''' Yes, you did. You were doing this. ''(makes Raven's vision face)''\\

* Heavily used in ''Videogame/CityOfHeroes'' and ''City of Villains'', as is to be expected from a game based on western comics. The psychic powers there run the gamut of such poses, from the pose (affectionately named "I'm shooting you with mind bullets!" by the community), through screaming, touching the target of a mind probe, and much gesturing when using telekinetic powers. In a possible partial subversion, most of those are offensive psychic powers. Those that deal with sleeping/stunning/controlling enemies actually do not use the Pstandard Psychic Pstance.

* Ness from ''Videogame/EarthBound'' touches both his temples when using his powers in the ''Videogame/SuperSmashBros'' series. [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Mewtwo]] doesn't usually bother with this trope, but makes an exception when wielding a hammer. In contrast, in ''Videogame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'', Lucas uses hand signs and other hand motions when using his powers.

* Mentor of ''Videogame/FreedomForce'' uses this in all of its hammy goodness of [[UsefulNotes/TheSilverAgeOfComicBooks Silver Age]] comics when using his abilities.

** In ''Videogame/PokemonSunAndMoon'', the pose the trainer performs to make his or her Pokémon use the Psychic-type Z-Move consists of placing both index fingers on his/her temples, keeping one finger in that position while extending the other arm in front of him/her with an outward-facing palm.

** Raz strikes one of these whenever he [[ItemGet gains a new psychic power]]. This gets parodied in ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts 2}}'', when he does this after getting his first all-new power "Mental Connection", and his fellow interns wonder why he's posing dramatically like that. One of the tips he can give his father (who spends the game training his powers) is to "press harder on his temple", to which he responds that he's starting to bruise there.
* ''Videogame/SecondSight'' has several of these, including kneeling down with hand pressed to your head.

* [[GreenEyedMonster Parsee]] of ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' gestures with both hands to activate her spellcards. With the ability to manipulate jealousy, she's one of the psychic-like characters in the cast. Though the ''actual'' mindreader does nothing of the sort.
* ''Videogame/WildStar'': The Esper's combat-ready idle stance has a hand to their head and the other outstretched towards their target.

* [[MindRape Shadow Priests]] of ''Videogame/WorldOfWarcraft'' avert this completely -- the casting animations for mind-targeting Shadow spells are the same as those used for all other spells.

* ''WebComic/{{Homestuck}}''

* Averted in ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons'', where one of the advantages of Psionics over Magic is the utter lack of any [[MagicalGesture Somatic]], [[MagicalIncantation Verbal]] and [[EyeOfNewt Material]] [[SpellConstruction components]], allowing use even when unable to move or speak.
** They may not have required, functional gestures of this kind, but its still quite common for such characters to be described with such actions simply as mannerisms. A particular dwarf psion in the group may well be perfectly capable of blasting enemies without moving a muscle, even when bound and gagged, but when his hands are free, he still usually holds one out toward whatever he's blasting.
** In the ''TabletopGame/DarkSun'' setting, magic is illegal, so mages try to pass themselves off as psychics (complete with this stance) to excuse the lobbing of fireballs and other magical effects. Results may vary depending on how familiar the surrounding populace are with actual psychics or illegal mages, and it's usually not helped that magic drains life energy from the environment.
* In ''TabletopGame/RocketAge'' every depiction of the various psychic powers shows practitioners in very traditional poses. Favourites include the hand to brow, the directional gesture and the guru styled lotus position.
* ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000'': One of the three models for the Wyrdvane is standing with his hand to his temple as if focusing his power.

* Doyle [[spoiler:and Cordelia]] on ''Series/{{Angel}}'' put a hand to their heads whenever they got a vision -- but that's because it gives them a ''giant fricking headache'' every time. However, when the latter becomes a demon to carry the power (as it will kill a human with enough time), [[spoiler:she]] doesn't do this, as it's completely painless.

* ''Series/InterviewWithTheVampire2022'': In the third episode, Lestat de Lioncourt places a couple of fingers against his temple while implanting a telepathic command to a few dozen soldiers simultaneously to vacate his house. It's a crutch to aid with his concentration.
* ''{{Series/Legion|2017}}'': Charles Xavier doesn't need to perform this gesture when he activates his telepathy (as shown in the scenes at the mental hospital), but it helps him to concentrate when he has to probe another mind more deeply than just scanning their surface thoughts. Creator/HarryLloyd [[https://collider.com/harry-lloyd-legion-season-3-interview-charles-xavier/ confirms this.]]

* Jun Lee from ''Anime/GenesisOfAquarion'' uses a slightly modified version of the stance when applying his "psychography" skill to see the unseen: rather than putting his fingers to his temples, he puts his fingers just above his eyebrows, forming a triangular bridge over his eyes. He's pointing his fingers to the center of his forehead, which is said to be where the 'third eye' is in yoga.

* ''Franchise/XMen'':
** In early comics, Professor X was often depicted (as an icon on the cover, but seldom in an actual story) doing a ''double'' hand-to-temple gesture, like someone trying to salute with both hands at once. However, Jean Grey rarely used hand gestures with her telekinetic powers. This is because they're using two different powers: Professor Xavier is the most powerful telepath in the Marvel Universe, but he has no telekinesis whatsoever. Prof. Xavier, Jean Grey and almost every other telepathic character depicted in the ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'' do the hand-to-head gesture when using the telepathy -- but ''not'' when using telekinesis.
** However, Jean Grey ''does'' use this trope when using her telekinesis in ''WesternAnimation/XMenTheAnimatedSeries''. This is a case of DependingOnTheArtist as Jean has been drawn using her hands to direct her telekinesis.

* Subverted by Maddie Sullivan of ''ComicBook/AstroCity.'' When she uses her telekinetic powers, she extends her thumb and pinkie, then puts the thumb to her lips.

* Averted in ''Fanfic/WithStringsAttached''. After Ringo discovers that he's telekinetic, he starts to play with it by pointing at stuff, frowning at it, etc. He quickly learns that all this nonsense distracts him from the concentration required to actually move things. Later, people are unnerved when he just sits there with his eyes closed and stuff happens. (Also, the power is completely invisible, so no wiggly lines or power glow or anything.)
* Also averted in ''Ultraman Moedari'': it is stated that neither Father Leo/Ultraman Lugeno or Madame Kandakai/Ultrawoman Lunaram need to move at all when using mental powers, the former holding an ultra still with his mind while standing motionless.

* ''Franchise/StarWars'':
** Famously when Darth Vader [[PsychicStrangle uses the force to choke someone]] he clenches his fist in a choking gesture.
** In ''Film/AttackOfTheClones'', when Yoda was holding up a pillar to prevent some other Jedi from being crushed by it, he was using both hands and shaking besides.

* Similarly, Fin Raziel in ''Film/{{Willow}}'', when using Elora Danaan's wand to toss Bavmorda around, uses gestures along with some sort of magic words. Abruptly becomes very funny when she shouts "Nananananana!" while twirling the wand to spin Bavmorda in midair.
* Early on in ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheKingdomOfTheCrystalSkull'', Irina Spalko exhibits this, replete with creepy theremin music in the background.

* ''Film/{{Firestarter}}''. When 'pushing' someone, Andy has a variant where he brushes his hair back from his forehead and presses his palms to his head. After he's been captured by The Shop, Cap (the villain played by Martin Sheen) sees him doing this and realises too late that Andy is no longer drugged -- Andy takes control of Cap's mind before he can signal a guard.
* ''Film/Zapped1982''. Barney Springboro is your typical 80's nerdy virgin teen who gains the ability to move objects [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peI4XH3wahk using only the power of his half-assed glare]]. Given that he's played by Scott Baio, it's hard to say if it's being subverted or played straight.
* ''Film/{{Carrie|1976}}'' does this subtly -- usually, all she does is look at her target, as evidenced when she throws the asshole kid off his bike, or locks down the school gym at the start of her RoaringRampageOfRevenge. However, when she slams shut all the windows and doors in her house, she doesn't even do this. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]] in that (at least in the {{Remake}}) by that point, Carrie had practiced enough with her powers that she wouldn't need to see an object to affect it.

* The girl in ''Film/EscapeToWitchMountain'' used the hands-to-temple stance for concentrated telepathic activity. Her brother favoured the stare-and-squint version
* Creator/BelaLugosi used grand arm gestures in various movies when his characters used their hypnotic powers. Movies in which he does this include ''Film/WhiteZombie, Film/{{Dracula 1931}}, Film/AbbottAndCostelloMeetFrankenstein'', and ''Film/BrideOfTheMonster''.
* ''Film/{{Accepted}}'' has a student majoring in Mental Detonation assume this stance as he is trying to make random objects explode with his mind.

* Similarly subverted in the first ''Literature/TheImmortals'' book when Daine is having her first formal lesson in magic. Her impulse at first is to emphasise her mental movements physically but her teacher tells her it's not necessary.
* Both of the above are likely influenced by Creator/DavidEddings' ''Literature/TheBelgariad'' series, in which it is noted several times that gestures are not necessary to use sorcery, but that most people tend to use them anyway.
* Used to an extent in ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' with evocation. With enough willpower, it's possible to skip this entirely, and the stronger a wizard is, the more he can do with a simpler motion. [[MagicalDatabase The Archive]] is good enough that she can have multiple spells going with one motion.

** Telepaths don't use their hands, they just stare at the intended target. Of course, it's explicitly stated that (for human teeps, at least) line of sight with their target is needed (or at least makes things easier), so it's justified.

** Of course, the people with the ability to read minds can do this almost passively. But if they need to focus at all (for example reading an unwilling person's mind, or trying to read another mind reader's mind), it seems they need a sudden twitch movement of their head (and intensive staring) to kick their power into action. And there is the [[PsychicNosebleed Psychic Nosebleed]] if they have to try too hard. Again, Peter always needs this head flick to use the power.

* Shawn Spencer of ''Series/{{Psych}}'' has eidetic memory, HyperAwareness and his deductive reasoning skills honed to ana amazing degree thanks to being trained by his policeman father. However, he does not become a cop (he used to want to) but he still desires to help people out in a similar fasion so he pretends to be a psychic and ''really'' hams up the gestures while using his powers of observation instead.

* On ''Series/TheTonightShow'' there was of course Carnac the Magnificent, embodied by Johnny Carson, with the dramatic envelope-to-forehead gesture.

* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', Neku does this when [[{{telepathy}} scanning]] [=NPCs=] and when using any of his PsychicPowers in battle that don't require him to move. It's a variant, as rather then putting his hands directly on his temples, he places them so that they cover his headphones. For bonus points, he [[PowerFloats levitates]] while doing it.
* Sophia Hapgood did it in ''VideoGame/IndianaJonesAndTheFateOfAtlantis'', [[spoiler: except [[TheCoconutEffect when she really IS]] communing with spirits.]]
* Many characters in ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts}}'' strike this pose when using various psychic powers, especially telekinesis and pyrokinesis.
** Including the ''telekinetic {{bears|AreBadNews}}''.
** Raz strikes one of these whenever he [[ItemGet gains a new psychic power]]. This gets parodied in ''VideoGame/{{Psychonauts 2}}'', when he does this after getting his first all-new power "Mental Connection", and his fellow interns wonder why he's posing dramatically like that. One of the tips he can give his father (who spends the game training his powers) is to "press harder on his temple", to which he responds that he's starting to bruise there.
* Ness from ''Videogame/EarthBound'' touches both his temples when using his powers in the ''Videogame/SuperSmashBros'' series. [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Mewtwo]] doesn't usually bother with this trope, but makes an exception when wielding a hammer. In contrast, in ''Videogame/SuperSmashBros Brawl'', Lucas uses hand signs and other hand motions when using his powers.

* ''Franchise/MassEffect'' kind of justifies this trope, saying that the various poses struck by a biotic character when they use their powers is part of their training. Biotics are surgically implanted to give them direct and focused control over their powers, and these implants are wired to various nerves, meaning the best way to activate the eezo nodules in their bodies that actually produce biotic powers (eezo + electricity = AppliedPhlebotinum in the Mass Effect universe) is to make actual movements, thus triggering the nerves.
** It may also help that some implants are noted to give the user splitting headaches. Rubbing at the temples may help to stem the pain.
* In ''VideoGame/KingdomHeartsII Final Mix+'', Vexen's usual pose during battle involves him holding his hand to his forehead while his shield floats directly in front of him. He moves his hand away when gesturing for his actual attacks, though.
* ''VideoGame/PsiOpsTheMindgateConspiracy'' only uses this for powers that cause you to lose control of your body, such as remote viewing and mind control. Telekinesis still involves arm gestures, though how wild the flailing is seems to depend on how [[LargeHam hammy]] the character is feeling at the time.

* Psycho Mantis, in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid'', does this all the time. When we see later psychics who don't do this, it just cements Mantis as an arrogant LargeHam.
** And then in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidVThePhantomPain'', we see a young Mantis who ''never'' does this. And he's way more powerful.
* Whether disguised or not, Crypto (that's you) out of ''VideoGame/DestroyAllHumans'' often takes this posture when using his abilities.

* ''VideoGame/ChampionsOnline'' is guilty of this as well, though characters are able to switch between different emission points for their powers. One could emit psychic blasts from their chest, and fire from their foreheads for example. The Ego Choke power is notable as a very graphically similar gesture to Darth Vader while maintaining it, causing the target to flail and grab their throat.
* ''Videogame/SecondSight'' has several of these, including kneeling down with hand pressed to your head.
* Psyduck, a Franchise/{{Pokemon}} with access to psychic moves such as Confusion, is always depicted looking off into space with both paws on its temples. Oddly enough, despite the "Psy" part of its name, it isn't actually a Psychic-type Pokémon, nor is its evolved form Golduck (both are pure Water-type Pokémon). That's mostly because Psyduck also always have constant headaches. It's sort of a double meaning; they're holding their heads because it well, hurts. It just so happens they're doing this when using their psychic powers, too.
** In ''Videogame/PokemonSunAndMoon'', the pose the trainer performs to make his or her Pokémon use the Psychic-type Z-Move consists of placing both index fingers on his/her temples, keeping one finger in that position while extending the other arm in front of him/her with an outward-facing palm.
* [[MindRape Shadow Priests]] of ''Videogame/WorldOfWarcraft'' avert this completely -- the casting animations for mind-targeting Shadow spells are the same as those used for all other spells.
* ''Videogame/WildStar'': The Esper's combat-ready idle stance has a hand to their head and the other outstretched towards their target.
** They also hold both hands by their temples when charging up certain moves (like Soothe).

* [[GreenEyedMonster Parsee]] of ''VideoGame/{{Touhou}}'' gestures with both hands to activate her spellcards. With the ability to manipulate jealousy, she's one of the psychic-like characters in the cast. Though the ''actual'' mindreader does nothing of the sort.

* ComicBook/MartianManhunter did this in the first season finale of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueUnlimited''. "Flash is still alive! I'm in telepathic contact with him... his spirit is weak, and growing weaker... but he's still here." All while holding his right hand to his head and moving the left one around like he's dowsing for water. Of course, the hand-waving may be justified, as when Hawkgirl does it, she reaches into the Speed Force and ''grabs ahold of him''.
* In ''WesternAnimation/TheVentureBrothers'', Doctor Orpheus does this whenever he necromances. Or says hello, ''or'' uses telekinesis to [[MundaneUtility make]] [[MundaneMadeAwesome fritatas]].

* Cartman from ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' and a bunch of other {{phony psychic}}s engage in this, as well as a bunch of hokey "special effects" sounds. Nya-nya-nya-nya-nya! Pashooo!

* Yumi of ''WesternAnimation/CodeLyoko'' puts both hands to her head when she uses telekinesis on Lyoko. She is also surrounded by an [[BattleAura aura]] and initially closes eyes, but open them and wave with a hand when directing the object (generally a boulder set on a course to crush a monster).
* ''WesternAnimation/StevenUniverse'' has a variation. Whenever Garnet uses her [[{{Seers}} Future Vision]], she lifts her visor a little.

* ''Manga/{{Akira}}'': Tetsuo gestures when moving water glasses, dismembering people, crushing bridges, etc.

* Played with in ''Manga/BlackBloodBrothers''; Jiro uses his "Hide Hand" ability by pointing at things...with his middle finger.