Representational systems (also known as modalities and abbreviated to VAKOG or known as the 4-tuple) is a Neuro-linguistic programming model that examines how the human mind processes information. It states that for practical purposes, information is (or can be treated as if) processed through the senses. Thus people say one talks to oneself (the auditory sense) even if no words are emitted, one makes pictures in one’s head when thinking or dreaming (the visual sense), and one considers feelings in the body and emotions (known as the kinesthetic sense).

NLP holds it as crucial in human cognitive processing to recognize that the subjective character of experience is strongly tied into, and influenced by, how memories and perceptions are processed within each sense, in the mind. It considers that expressions such as “It’s all misty” or “I can’t get a grip on it”, can often be precise literal unconscious descriptions from within those sensory systems, communicating unconsciously where the mind perceives a problem in handling some mental event.

Within NLP, the various senses in their role as information processors, are known as representation systems, or modalities. The model itself is known as the VAKOG model (from the initial letters of each of the five senses), or since taste and smell are so closely connected, sometimes as a 4-tuple, meaning its 4 way sensory-based description. A submodality is a structural element of a sensory impression, such as its perceived location, distance, size, or other quality.

Representational systems and submodalities are seen in NLP as offering a valuable therapeutic insight (or metaphor) and potential working methods, into how the human mind internally organizes and subjectively attaches meaning to events.

Representational systems within NLP

Overview of representational systems

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Representational System

In everyday speech, an outcome is a consequence arising from an action, or alternatively a goal one wishes (or hopes) to achieve.

A Well-formed outcome is a term originating in neuro-linguistic programming for an outcome one wishes to achieve, that meets certain conditions designed to avoid (1) unintended costs or consequences and (2) resistance to achieving the goal resulting from internal conflicting feelings or thoughts about the outcome.

Thus, a high quality outcome is more than a vague wish or goal. It is an objective or goal which is integrated with all aspects of one’s life (morals, ethics, relationships, finances, health, body, etc.) and has a process of accomplishment that respects and supports the current desirable circumstances in one’s life.

A high quality outcome is (in a sense) consistent with forward-thinking action as well, or alternatively have been clearly and well enough defined to be prima facie free of common “muddy thinking”.

By applying all of the well-formedness conditions to a goal or outcome, and adjusting the outcome specifications accordingly in the process, you create a Well-formed outcome.

Goals and outcomes

In NLP, a general distinction is made between goals and outcomes. A goal is a lay-term, and is often lacking in the precision and cognitive clarity needed to be acted upon. For example:

• I want to be loved
  (by whom? How much?)
• I want to be happy
  (”happiness” is a process and its not clear what the speaker means by the term in their own world, nor what kind of happiness, nor how they expect it to be maintained)
• I don’t want that!
  (NLP states that the brain cognitively processes in terms of positives not negatives, and that cognitively this “goal” is akin to asking for a plane ticket to “not here”. It’s unclear what is wanted instead)
• I don’t want them to do that
  (not only tends to block thinking what is wanted instead, but may be vague as to exactly whom and what the subjects are, and what it is that they are perceived as “doing” that’s objectionable)

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Well Formed Outcomes. Posted By: Franco Yong

NLP is an eclectic field, often described as a ‘toolbox’ which has borrowed heavily from other fields in collating its presuppositions and techniques.

Internal ‘maps’ of the world

NLP calls each individual’s perception of the world their ‘map’. NLP teaches that our mind-body (neuro) and what we say (language) all interact together to form our perceptions of the world, or maps (programming). Each person’s map of the world determines feelings and behavior. Therefore, impoverished - and unrealistic - maps can restrict choices and result in problems. As an approach to personal development or therapy it involves understanding that people create their own internal ‘map’ or world, recognizing unhelpful or destructive patterns of thinking based on impoverished maps of the world, then modifying or replacing these patterns with more useful or helpful ones. There is also an emphasis on ways to change internal representations or maps of the world in order to increase behavioral flexibility.

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Methods Of NLP

The Meta-model of Neuro-linguistic programming or Meta-model of Therapy is heuristic set of questions designed to specify information, challenge and expand the limits to a person’s model of the world. It responds to the distortions, generalizations, and deletions in the speaker’s language.^[2] The meta model forms the basis of Neuro-linguistic programming as developed by then assistant professor of linguistics, John Grinder and Richard Bandler.^[1]

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Meta Model. Posted By: Franco Yong