NLP Part 5 - The Meta Model

The Meta Model in NLP

The Meta Model was developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, the co-founders of NLP, as a way to help individuals identify and address limiting beliefs and thought patterns.

The Meta Model is based on the idea that our language reflects our internal map of reality, and that by challenging and clarifying the language we use, we can gain a deeper understanding of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The Meta Model provides a framework for asking specific questions to challenge the generalizations, distortions, and deletions that often occur in our language.

Some common patterns in the Meta Model include:

• Deletion: When information is left out of a statement or question, making it incomplete or vague. For example, "I'm bad at math" deletes the information about which aspects of math the person struggles with.
• Distortion: When information is changed or manipulated to fit a particular perspective or belief. For example, "My boss is always picking on me" distorts the reality that the boss may be giving feedback or trying to help.
• Generalization: When a specific experience or event is applied to a broader context. For example, "All men are selfish" is a generalization based on a specific experience.

By using the Meta Model, individuals can become more aware of their own thought patterns and beliefs, as well as those of others. They can also use it to clarify and communicate more effectively, and to challenge limiting beliefs and thought patterns that may be holding them back. The Meta Model is often used in coaching and therapy to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and to facilitate personal growth and change.

Deletion in NLP

Deletion is one of the language patterns in NLP that refers to the process of leaving out or omitting important information in communication, which can result in incomplete or vague messages. Deletion occurs when we remove specific details of an experience, event, or situation, leaving us with a partial picture that does not accurately reflect reality.

Deletion can be intentional or unintentional, and it can happen at various levels of communication, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. It is important to identify and address deletions in communication, as they can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and lack of clarity.

Examples of Deletion in NLP:

• "I like her, but she's just not my type." In this statement, the speaker is leaving out the specific characteristics that they consider to be their type, leaving the listener with an incomplete picture of what the speaker is looking for in a partner.
• "I'm having a bad day." This statement deletes the specific reasons why the speaker is feeling down, leaving the listener without an understanding of the cause of the speaker's mood.
• "I always fail at this." This statement deletes the specific times when the person may have succeeded, leaving the listener with an incomplete picture of the person's abilities.
• "It's a nice day outside." This statement deletes specific details about the weather, such as the temperature or the presence of wind or clouds, leaving the listener with a vague impression of the day's weather.

In NLP, it is important to identify deletions in communication and to ask clarifying questions to fill in the missing information. By doing so, we can gain a more accurate understanding of the situation, and avoid misunderstandings or miscommunication.

Distortion in NLP

Distortion is a language pattern in NLP that refers to the process of changing or manipulating information to fit a particular perspective or belief. It involves altering the meaning of an experience, event, or situation, in a way that does not reflect the objective reality of the situation.

Distortion can be intentional or unintentional and can occur at various levels of communication, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. It is important to identify and address distortions in communication, as they can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and lack of clarity.

Examples of Distortion in NLP:

• "I never get a break." This statement distorts the reality that the person may have had breaks in the past, leaving the listener with an incomplete picture of the person's experiences.
• "She's always so mean to me." This statement distorts the reality that the person may have had positive interactions with the person in the past, leaving the listener with an incomplete picture of the relationship.
• "I'm just a failure." This statement distorts the reality that the person may have had successes in the past, leaving the listener with an incomplete picture of the person's abilities.
• "It's impossible for me to lose weight." This statement distorts the reality that the person may have lost weight in the past or may have the ability to lose weight in the future, leaving the listener with an incomplete picture of the person's potential.

In NLP, it is important to identify distortions in communication and to ask clarifying questions to challenge the person's limiting beliefs or perspectives. By doing so, we can gain a more accurate understanding of the situation, and help the person to develop more empowering beliefs and perspectives.

Generalization in NLP

Generalization is a language pattern in NLP that refers to the process of applying a particular belief, attitude, or behavior to a broader range of situations than it may actually apply to. It involves taking a specific experience, event, or situation and drawing broader conclusions or making general statements about it, without considering the unique context of each situation.

Generalization can be intentional or unintentional and can occur at various levels of communication, including verbal, nonverbal, and written communication. It is important to identify and address generalizations in communication, as they can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and lack of clarity.

Examples of Generalization in NLP:

• "I always make mistakes." This statement generalizes the belief that the person always makes mistakes, without considering the specific context of each situation.
• "Everyone is against me." This statement generalizes the belief that everyone is against the person, without considering the unique circumstances of each relationship.
• "I can't trust anyone." This statement generalizes the belief that the person can't trust anyone, without considering the unique trustworthiness of each individual.
• "I'm terrible at public speaking." This statement generalizes the belief that the person is terrible at public speaking, without considering the specific situations and audiences that the person may be speaking to.

In NLP, it is important to identify generalizations in communication and to challenge them by exploring the specific context of each situation. By doing so, we can gain a more accurate understanding of the situation, and help the person to develop more nuanced and empowering beliefs and perspectives.

Meta Programs in NLP

Meta Programs refer to the unconscious mental processes that determine how people perceive, think, and make decisions based on their individual preferences and styles. These processes are believed to be consistent and reliable patterns of behavior and thought that can be identified through observation and language use.

Meta Programs are often categorized into pairs of opposites, such as big picture vs. detail-oriented, internal vs. external focus, and options vs. procedures. Some of the most common Meta Programs include:

• Towards or Away From: People with a Towards Meta Program are motivated by the anticipation of rewards and positive outcomes, while those with an Away From Meta Program are motivated by avoiding pain or negative consequences.
• Internal or External Frame of Reference: People with an Internal Meta Program tend to rely on their own thoughts, feelings, and values to guide their decisions, while those with an External Meta Program rely more on outside input and feedback.
• Possibility or Necessity: People with a Possibility Meta Program tend to focus on what might be, what could happen, and what is potential, while those with a Necessity Meta Program focus more on what is necessary, required, or certain.
• Options or Procedures: People with an Options Meta Program tend to focus on generating alternatives and exploring new possibilities, while those with a Procedures Meta Program prefer to follow established routines and procedures.
• Sameness or Difference: People with a Sameness Meta Program tend to focus on similarities and commonalities, while those with a Difference Meta Program are more attuned to distinctions and differences.

By understanding one's own and others' Meta Programs, NLP practitioners can better communicate, motivate, and influence others by tailoring their language and approach to align with their preferences and styles.

Meta-Modeling in NLP

Meta-Modeling is an advanced NLP technique used to identify and challenge the deeper structure of a person's language to help them to clarify their thoughts, beliefs, and values. It involves asking specific questions to uncover the underlying structure of language and identify where the language may be limiting or distorting a person's experience of reality.

The purpose of meta-modeling is to help individuals to clarify their language and thought patterns, and to challenge any limiting beliefs or assumptions they may hold. This can help to facilitate personal growth, improve communication, and enhance problem-solving abilities.

Meta-modeling involves using specific questions and techniques to challenge a person's language, including asking for specifics, questioning presuppositions, and challenging generalizations. By doing so, it helps individuals to develop a more accurate and flexible model of their experience of reality, and to create more effective strategies for achieving their goals.

Strategies in NLP

A strategy in NLP is a series of mental and behavioral steps that an individual uses to accomplish a particular task or achieve a specific outcome. Strategies can involve sensory modalities such as visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or olfactory, and can be conscious or unconscious.

The concept of strategies in NLP is based on the idea that successful behaviors and outcomes are the result of specific internal processes that can be modeled and replicated. By understanding the steps and sensory modalities involved in a successful strategy, individuals can learn to replicate the same steps in their own thinking and behavior to achieve similar outcomes.

NLP identifies two types of strategies: content strategies and process strategies.

• Content Strategies refer to the specific steps or elements involved in a task or outcome. They involve the specific details or "content" of the task, and can vary depending on the specific situation or outcome. Examples of content strategies might include the steps involved in making a decision, solving a problem, or performing a particular skill or task.
• Process Strategies refer to the underlying mental and cognitive processes involved in a task or outcome. They involve the way in which the content of the task is processed and organized, and can be more abstract and generalizable than content strategies. Examples of process strategies might include the way in which a person organizes and prioritizes information when making a decision, the way in which they motivate themselves to complete a task, or the way in which they mentally rehearse and visualize success before performing a skill or task.

NLP techniques are used to identify and model successful strategies, and to help individuals learn to replicate those strategies in their own thinking and behavior. This can lead to improved performance, increased motivation, and greater success in achieving desired outcomes.

Would you like to uncover how you limit yourself in a specific area by use of your language? Contact us here for free 30 minute session and let's discuss it together.

The Part 6 of the series about NLP focuses on Basic Techniques. Continue with Part 6 here.