In addition to escapes, Bixby performed feats of sleight of hand, mentalism, and stage illusions. Mentalism creates the illusion that the magician can read minds. This form of mentalism involves examples of telekinesis, extrasensory perception, precognition and telepathy. Crystal balls are popular props used in mentalism acts by stage magicians. Doing so associates mentalism too closely with the theatrical trickery employed by stage magicians. Magicians who perform mentalism debate among themselves about using a disclaimer. His tricks include a combination of magic with mentalism, neuro-linguistic programming, and criminology. A swami gimmick is a prop used in magic and mentalism. A great number of self-working mentalism tricks rely on mathematical principles. Mentalism plays on the senses and a spectator's perception of tricks. John then shortlists the audience through various mentalism tricks into a five member group. Fexeus is an entertainer within the magic discipline of mentalism. Baldessari greatly influenced his later work in magic and mentalism. Concurrently thriving alongside mentalism since the inception of psychology was the functional perspective of behaviorism. He was reputed for his close-up skills and his work in mentalism and bizarre magic.