Representational Systems

Representational systems are the methods by which our bodies receive, and thereby interpret information from both outside and inside ourselves.

The different representational systems are visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and gustatory – all referred to as the five doors, or windows of perception.

The significance of these systems is that each of us learns to prefer one of the doorways, above the others from a very early age. As Virginia Satir put it; "man’s strongest instinct is not to survive, but to do what is familiar". By taking this in its context and observing humanity, it is no wonder that most people become frustrated with their challenges in life. People will also learn their second, third, forth, and fifth favorite representational system early in life, and have a tendency to lean on these systems in consecutive order.

As one matures through life and receives different learnings, they might choose to facilitate the use of their second or third preferential system as their primary reference for certain tasks. We all use all of our representational systems all the time. It’s simply a matter of paying attention to one specific piece of information at the given time of the communication.

Within the realm of therapy, it is generally a matter of opening a person up to, and having them notice more of the rest of the information they receive, in order to provide them with more choices in life.

It is the favoring of representational systems which governs our communication style, and directs our chosen activities in life. Sarcastically enough it is also an over reliance on a preferred representational system, which limits our understandings, and abilities to cope with, and understand certain situations we experience.

To the communicator, an ability to pick out a subjects preferred system, and then be able to communicate in a manner which understandably directs his subject in a specified direction is invaluable.

Manners of picking out a subject’s preferred representational system are quite simple.
Firstly the subject’s language via the predicates used, will be associated directly with her most highly valued representational system at that specific time. Notice that the specified moment in time was mentioned. Although a person’s most highly valued representational system will be most often used, it may also vary dependant upon the tasks being performed.
Secondly it can also be noticed as the portion of a 4-tuple which has a “non-null” value shown as:
R <V, ?, ?, ?,> for a visual representation.
R <?, K, ?, ?,> for a kinesthetic representation.
R <?, ?, At, ?,> for an Auditory tonal representation, and
R <?, ?, ?, O/G,> for an olfactory/gustatory representation.

If the subject’s eyes are open, eye accessing cues can be used ( the reader is referred to R.Dilts, NLP Volume I.; The Study of the Structure of Subjective Experience, for elaborations on eye accessing cues. ) to determine the preferred representational system. As an example, if the client was constantly moving her eyes up, and from side to side this would associate to visual accessing. Other cues might be a breathing pattern shallow and high in the chest ( here again the reader is referred to R.Dilts, NLP Volume I.; The Study of the Structure of Subjective Experience. ).

As for hypnotic induction techniques for a visually oriented subject, there are many, but initially one should begin with a form of guided visual imagery, and slowly begin to bridge in kinesthetic, auditory, and olfactory/gustatory language type predicates to expand the subjects experience. The introduction of different language predicates would allow for a synesthesia, or overlap of the senses expanding the subject’s experience, and for that matter her availability of choices. The introduction of predicates outside the subject’s main focus of conscious awareness will also orient her more and more towards unconscious processing as the induction progresses.

A person’s primary representational system will be represented primarily by the predicates used in their language, as well as other physiological cues such as their breathing patterns, facial coloration, and auditory inflections. These mentioned cues can be learned from most books dealing with the basics of NLP, and the reader is directed to books written by the likes of Richard Bandler, John Grinder, and Robert Dilts to name a few.

A person’s L operator, or lead system, will be largely governed by unconscious processes. For example:
If it has been learned that a client’s primary representational system is kinesthetic, via the predicates used in her language ( words used such as feelings, sense, get in touch with, etc….), and she was directed to imagine the sensation of swimming in the ocean, initially she might first visualize scenes of the ocean, followed by remembered sounds of waves crashing, and then have the sense of first dipping her toes into the water, while noticing the sweet scent of the salt air as she imagines herself moving into deeper levels of water bathing her naked body. This can be shown in the context of a 4-tuple as:
L <Vi, Ati, Ki, O/Gi,> ? K

Another example could be something like that of the olfactory sense. The sense of smell is in fact a very powerful governing obstacle because it is the only one of the sensory tracts which bypass the thalamic area, having direct cortical projections, and immediately begins the accessing of any associated past 4-tuple. For example, a particular scent of a woman, immediately sends my mind into all kinds of erotic pictures, followed by loops of certain sounds, which send me into uncontrollable kinesthetic experiences (can you guess what my primary representational system might be). I know, too much information, but as a 4-tuple this can be represented as;
Oe <Vi, Ati, Ki, Oe> ? K.

The great value in this knowledge to the hypnotically inclined communicator is that the lead system is governed unconsciously, or for that matter outside of the person’s conscious awareness. By being outside of the person’s awareness, she has no control as to what is causing a particular association, and thereby can’t change its effects.

By learning a subject’s out of conscious lead system, a hypnotist can have dramatic effects with his subjects, whether working within trance, or in the normal waking state. This can be easily done by covertly marking one’s communication to the other, in the persons unconscious lead system.

Representational Systems - Only $24.95
The identification and ability to match and communicate in the same language as the person you are dealing with is probably one of the greatest discoveries made in NLP for the development of effective communication that not only helps establish rapport, but ensures understanding by the listener. You will also learn how to shift your listener into other representational systems in order to help expand their choices and the effectiveness of your hypnotic language. Learn the art of effective communication effortlessly while you just put your headphones on and listen as you lie back and relax.

Representational Systems (with subliminal track addition)
Only $34.95
The subliminal track added here will ensure that you not only interpret, and provide language effectively, but the learning becomes so internally digested that it happens all automatically without any conscious process to pick it up at all.

Mailing address:
Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)
Hypnotic Advancements
3126 McCarthy Court
Mississauga , ON
Canada L4Y-3Z5

© 2004, Dr. Frank Valente Ph.D.(c)

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