Representational Systems

Submitted by ClearlyChosen on Tue, 03/09/2010 - 11:24

Representational Systems in NLP

5 (main) Senses

Representational Systems is a system of how we represent (or Re-Present) the outside world to ourselves so that it makes sense. We learn of the outside world via our 5 senses: Visual (seeing), Auditory (hearing), Kinesthetic (feeling), Olfactory (smelling), and Gustatory (tasting). Hence in NLP, these are call the representational systems.

People generally favour one rep. system (aka modality) more than another. For instance, a musician would almost certainly have a strong Auditory rep. system while a photographer would very likely favour their Visual rep. system. It does not mean they they do not use their other senses, only that they tend to be stronger in some more than the others.

This will tend to show up in a number of ways: they tend to use more of the sensory words that are associated to their modality and they also tend to respond better to the same. These sensory words are called predicates. The predicates we use most often are clues to our (dominant) representation system.

Predicate List

Visual predicates
envision illuminating glitter gaze misty hazy glimpse	appear murky clear scan perspective focus picture look	see view vision colorful outlook reflect insight watch	observe visualize image glowing scene shine brilliant vivid	mirror flash show sparkle bright transparent opaque show
Auditory predicates
echo tell symphony cadence whisper loud discordant	call listen sound tone music accent	clash tune in harmony rhythm resonate say click	shrill shout noise cacophony noise quiet melody	amplify musical raucous dialogue screech talk speak
Kinesthetic predicates
cling tickle thrust move uptight rough	feel grab pull grasp rub sticky	touch pressure firm heavy texture handle	itchy contact sting pushy gritty smooth	solid hard pressure tough soft tight solid
Olfactory predicates
scent smell whiff	odour nose bouquet	reek stench pong	fragrant air perfume
Gustatory predicates
woody citrus fruity	sweet sour bitter salty	minty hot (chilli) appetite	savour juicy tart

Non-Sensory Predicates

Non-sensory predicates are words and phrases that are not specific to any modality. They are useful because they are "neutral" - the listener makes sense of it in their own way and you avoid mismatching their preferred representational system.

Non-sensory
imitate significant essential funny trivial notable obvious	be aware of think know consider assume wonder intuit	relevant learn develop important meaningful fascinating interesting	presuppose decide remember explain experience perceive arrange	conceive of attend to communicate notice recognize understand work out

References

Ian McDermott, 1995, NLP Practitioner Manual, International Training Seminars
Steve Andreas and Charles Faulkner, 1996, NLP The New Technology of Achievement, Nicholas Brealey Publishing Limited

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