The psychic probe is a science fictional device which is mentioned in a number of stories by Isaac Asimov, even though there is no account of its actual usage. It is a machine used to extract information directly from the brain of a person, revealing information that the subject itself is not consciously aware of. Unwillingness and resistance to the probing results in a kind of mental tearing, damaging the mind permanently. In fact, the fear of the probe is more persuasive than the probe itself.