Representation systems

Our senses are the doorways of our perception. All we know of the world we
know through our senses. We have five main sensory modalities, or
representation systems.
Our inner subjective experience is structured in terms of these senses. When
we think, or process information internally, we "re-present" the information in
terms of the sensory systems that are our only contact with the "outside world".
V Visual seeing
A Auditory hearing
K Kinaesthetic feeling
O Olfactory smelling
G Gustatory tasting

Part of the language we use comes from one of these main systems. These
sensory based words are called predicates.
Use of rich sensory based language enables you to ensure that you are
including all your listeners, regardless of their primary sensory system, in full
communication. It enables you to create a sensory rich description to which
everyone can relate more effectively. If you are to gain commitment to an idea,
then the more richly it is described the more effectively it will be communicated.
Visual Auditory Kinaesthetic Olfactory Gustatory
look say touch scent flavour
picture accent move stink sweet
bright question pressure whiff appetite
outlook click handle reek sour
focus rhythm loose fishy feed
vision language insensitive air juicy
perspective speech rough nostril spicy

Non sensory based language includes:
Think, know, sense, understand, notice, decide, explain, arrange, perceive,
recognise, work out, attend, remember.
Here are some exercises to develop your understanding of representation
systems, followed by a questionnaire to help you identify your primary
representational system.
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Exercise 1
Describe an experience or something you would like to achieve using non-
sensory based language. Then repeat the process using enriched sensory
specific language. Your objective is to get your listeners fully involved in the
experience.
As you talk, remember:
What did you see?
What did you hear?
How did it feel?
Also, was there anything you could smell or taste?
Take turns to describe and to listen.
What was the difference?


Did you enjoy enriching the description?


What was your response to the two descriptions? How did it vary?




Predicates are the auditory cues to the representation systems that others are
using. A person's choice of language indicates which sensory system they are
using at any one time.
Adapting your own choice of language so that it matches that of the other
person will increase rapport and assist them in understanding what you wish to
communicate. The information slides comfortably into their brain processes
instead of having to be changed around or translated in order to be understood.
You may find that those people who put you at ease immediately are operating
in your favourite system. Those with whom you often have conflicts may simply
be viewing the same situation from another representational system.
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Visual metaphors
I see what you mean. I'm trying to picture it.
I want a different perspective. Clear as mud.
Try to see things my way. Let's look at this closely.
I have a vision of how things could be. The outlook is dim.
Things are looking up. Seeing eye to eye.
Shed some light on the matter. It's not yet clear.
Auditory metaphors
We're on the same wavelength. Living in harmony.
Speaking the same language. Talking gobbledygook.
Tune in to this. Quiet as a mouse.
I hear what you are saying. Sounds good.
I like your story. Turn a deaf ear.
Lost for words. Strikes a chord.
Kinaesthetic metaphors
I'm ready to tackle this head on. Things just flowed.
I've got a feel for the place. Get a grip on yourself.
He wants something concrete. Can you grasp the idea?
Maintaining a sense of balance. He rubs me up the wrong way.
A sticky situation. I feel it in my bones.
A cool customer. One step at a time.
Exercise 2
Working in groups, each make a statement which starts with the representation
system last used and ends with a new one. Continue round using as many
representation systems as you can. Try to make up your own metaphors.
eg I hear what you say but I can't see it working.
Yes, a different perspective would help us to get a sense of balance.
That's a hard proposal. I'm lost for words.
It sounds good. Can you show us a way ahead.
It looks good. It sounds good. But it is going to be tough to do.
Make up a sentence of your own using a visual metaphor:


Make up a sentence of your own using an auditory metaphor:


Make up a sentence of your own using a kinaesthetic metaphor:


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Identifying your primary representational system
The answers to these questions will help you understand how you
communicate.
Please read the following before answering the questions:-
Answer each question with the very first response that comes to mind. If
you have trouble deciding between two answers, tick the one that occurs first.
There is no need for undue pondering and thought. Your first response is
usually the most appropriate.
If you are still having a difficult time choosing, think of specific circumstances in
your life relative to the question that come closest to approximating the
answer.
If you get a sudden case of the How I might make the test come out the way I
want it to, resist, resist, resist. Purposely slanting the answers will make the
outcome meaningless and devoid of the information from which you could
benefit.
Finally there is no representational system that is better or worse than the
others. Your representational type doesnt have any relevance to the kind of
human being you are, it simply sheds light on how you relate as a human being
and reveals how you run your relationships.

o-O-o

When you recall a time you were immensely drawn to someone, what was
the very first thing that attracted you to them? Was it:
A. The way they looked
B. Something they said to you or that you heard
C. The way they touched you or something you felt

When you recall a particularly wonderful holiday you had, whats the very
first experience you remember? Was it:
A. The way the place looked
B. The different way it sounded to you
C. The feeling you got about holidaying there

When you drive, how do you navigate?
A. I look at road signs or follow a map of the area
B. I listen for familiar sounds that point me in the right direction
C. I get a gut feeling or sense of where I am

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When I play my favourite sport, I particularly enjoy:
A. How I look playing at it
B. The sound of the game, such as the thwack of the ball
C. The feel of the game, the grip of the club or the sense of motion

When I get a task at work, it is easier to understand and carry out if:
A. It is written or I have a plan
B. It is explained to me
C. I get a sense of purpose, clarity from it

When my problems get me down, I find it helps to:
A. Write them down so I can see them clearly
B. Talk or listen to another until my problems sound easier to hear
C. Sort them out inside my head until they make sens

I find it easier to be with my friends if:
A. They communicate using to the point statements
B. They interact with me through easy to hear and varying speech
C. I get a feeling that they know where I am coming from

When I make decisions it helps to:
A. Picture the possible choices in my minds eye
B. Hear both sides of a dialogue within my mind
C. Sense how I would feel if either choice came to pass

Which group do I tend to favour:
A. Photography, painting, reading, drawing, films
B. Music, the sound of the sea, the wind, chimes, concerts
C. Ball games, massage, touching, craft work, reflection

During sex, I like to:
A. Look at what is going on
B. Hear my lover
C. Feel every sensation

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When I buy an article of clothing, after first seeing it the very next thing I
do is:
A. Take another look at it or picture myself wearing it
B. Listen closely to the sales assistant or have a conversation with myself
giving the pros and cons of buying it
C. Get a feeling about it and/or touch it to know if its something Id enjoy
wearing

On the occasions when I think of a former lover or special person, the
very first thing I do is:
A. See the person in my minds eye
B. Hear his or her voice in my mind
C. Get a certain feeling about the person

At a gym, my experience of satisfaction comes first from:
A. Seeing myself in the mirror getting better
B. Hearing myself or others say how good Im looking
C. Feeling my body get stronger and sensing its more in shape

When I have occasion to use mathematics, I verify the answer by:
A. Looking at the numbers to see if they look correct
B. Counting the numbers in my head
C. Using my fingers to get a sense of correctness

When I spell, I verify accuracy by:
A. Looking at the word in my minds eye to see if it looks the way that word
should
B. Saying the word out loud or hearing it in my mind
C. Getting a feeling about the way the word is spelt

The subject I enjoyed the most in school came about primarily as a result
of:
A. The way it looked on the board or in books
B. The sound of the subject as it was taught to me
C. My sense of interest as I learned more about it

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When I love someone, I get an immediate experience of:
A. The way we look together through the eyes of love
B. The sound of telling him or her or being told, I love you
C. A feeling or sense of warmth toward that person

When I take a dislike to someone, I get an immediate experience of
distaste:
A. When I see them approach
B. When they begin talking to me
C. When I sense theyre nearby

At the beach, the very first thing that makes me glad to be there is:
A. The look of the sand, the smiling sun, and the ice-blue water
B. The sound of the waves, the laughing wind, and distant whispers
C. The feel of the sand, the salt air on my lips and the joy of serenity

Having a conversation at a party, my whole frame of experience will
change if:
A. The lights get brighter or dimmer
B. The music changes pace
C. The room temperature changes

I know my career is taking a turn for the better when:
A. I see myself moving into a more private office
B. I hear the managing director say, Youre really going to go places.
C. I feel satisfaction in getting a promotion.

Before going to sleep at night, its important that:
A. The room is nearly dark or pleasantly shaded
B. The room is hushed or muted with pleasing background quiet
C. The bed feels very comfortable

In the morning, I especially enjoy awakening to:
A. Either the sun streaming in or an overcast day
B. The sound of a lively wind or rain pelting the windows
C. A warm duvet or flannel sheets
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When I experience anxiety, the very first thing that happens is:
A. The world takes on a different appearance in some way
B. Sounds begin to bother me
C. My sense of ease begins to alter

When Im very happy, my world:
A. Takes on a definite and wonderful shine
B. Resonates with total harmony
C. Fits perfectly within the space of my life

I get along better with people who:
A. Relate to the world through the way it looks
B. Relate to the world through the way it sounds
C. Relate to the world through the way it maes them feel

When I get totally motivated the first thing that happens is:
A. I see things from a new and resourceful perspective
B. I tell myself how this state is going to create new possibilities
C. I can actually feel myself getting psyched up

When someone tells me I love you my first experience is:
A. An image of the person loving me, or us together
B. A dialogue within my soul saying, This is wonderful
C. A feeling of pleasurable contentment

Death, for me is probably:
A. To see no more, or to see in a totally new way
B. To hear no more, or to hear in a totally new way
C. To feel no more, or to feel in a totally new way

Having rapport with someone is:
A. Seeing him or her in a wonderful and easy-to-be-with way
B. Hearing the person communicate things exactly the way they should
C. Feeling toward the person the way I know he or she feels toward me.
END
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Now add up the three separate scores of As, Bs and Cs. The letter with the
highest number indicates that this is probably your primary representational
system.
Number of As
Number of Bs
Number of Cs
As =Visual Bs =Auditory Cs =Kinaesthetic
If you score a 10 in each category, take the test again in a day or so; youll
probably find one area predominates.
If your three scores are still close together in value, it means that though you
might be primarily visual, for example, many of your strategies are kinaesthetic
or auditory.
If your scores are highly slanted, that is to say, higher than 17 in any category,
you are clearly dominant in that representational system.

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