What ability do audience members think a magician possesses when he appears to move a scarf without touching it?

The correct answer is psychokinesis, which refers to the ability to manipulate objects using the mind alone, without any physical interaction. When audience members see a magician seem to move a scarf without touching it, they often attribute this phenomenon to a supernatural power or ability, such as being able to influence objects through mental force. This aligns with the idea of psychokinesis, where it is believed that a person can exert control over physical matter without direct contact.

The other options revolve around different concepts. Clairvoyance relates to perceiving events or gaining information through extrasensory means, typically associated with knowing something that is happening elsewhere or generally unknown. Psychophysics involves the study of the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations they produce in the human mind; it doesn't pertain to manipulation of objects. Precognition refers to the ability to foretell future events, which again does not connect with the notion of moving an object without physical touch. Thus, psychokinesis is the most fitting term for the illusion of moving an object without any direct connection, capturing the magical essence that audiences often believe in.