//NLP Representational Systems

 

What are nlp representational systems?

Representational systems (or rep systems for short) are the way in which we 'represent' our world, both to ourselves and to others. 

 

There are 4 main systems plus 2 others which are less common

 

Representational Systems:

          *  Visual                  =>     Seeing                             e.g.  I see what you're saying.  I get the picture.

          *  Auditory               =>     Hearing                            e.g.  I like the sound of that.  That rings a bell.

          *  Kinaethetic           =>     Feeling                            e.g.  I follow my gut instinct.  There are obstacles to overcome.

          *  Auditory Digital     =>     Self Talk                           e.g. That makes sense.  I'd like to consider how that works.

          *  Olfactory              =>     Smell                               e.g. Mmm, smells good.  There's a distinct aroma to this place.

          *  Gustatory             =>     Taste                               e.g. I get the flavour of what needs doing.  It's a taste of things to come.

 

Primary Representational Systems

We use all four of the main rep systems but ten to have a preference when we communicate our thoughts to others.  This is called the Primary Representational System.  To find out which rep system someone is using as their primary one we need to listen to the predicates used.

 

Lead Representational Systems

We also have a preference when we are thinking about our own internal world.  This is called the Lead Representational System.  This can be determined by watching eye accessing cues.

 

A skilled practitioner of nlp will be comfortable using all of the rep systems.

 

Representational System Characteristics

 

Visual

  * People who are visual often stand or sit with their heads and/or bodies erect, with their eyes up. 

  * They will be breathing from the top of their lungs. 

  * They often sit forward in their chair and tend to be organised, neat, well-groomed and orderly. 

  * They are often thin and wiry. 

  * They memorise by seeing pictures and are less distracted by noise. 

  * They often have trouble remembering verbal instructions because their mind tends to wander. 

  * A visual person will be interested in how you look.  Appearances are important to them.

 

Auditory

  * People who are auditory will quite often move their eyes sideways.

  * They breathe from the middle of their chest.

  * They typically talk to themselves and can be easily distracted by noise.  Some even move their lips when they talk to themselves.

  * They can repeat things back to you easily.

  * They learn by listening and usually like music and talking on the phone.

  * They memorise by steps, procedures and sequences.

  * The auditory person likes to be told how they're doing and responds to a ceratin tone of voice or set of words.

  * They will be interested in what you have to say.

 

Kinaesthetic

  * People who are kinaesthetic will typically be breathing from the bottom of their lungs so you'll see their stomach go in and out when they breathe.

  * They often move and walk very slowly.

  * They respond to physical rewards and touching

  * They also stand closer to peopel than a visual person.

  * They memorise by doing or walking through something.

  * They will be interested in something if it 'feels right', or if you can give them something they can grasp.

 

Auditory Digital

  * This person will spend a fair amount of time talking to themselves.

  * They will want to know if something 'makes sense'.

  * The auditory digital person can exhibit characteristics of the other major representational systems.

 

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You may also be interested in the following areas of nlp information:

NLP - an explanation

Learn NLP - how to choose an nlp course

NLP glossary - a guide to nlp terminology