Perceptual positions
Encyclopedia
Perceptual positions is a neuro-linguistic programming
and psychology
term denoting that a complex system
may look very different, and different information will be available, depending how one perceives it and one's point of view. For example, considering a situation or relationship from the perspective of self (1st position), another person involved (2nd position) or from a neutral, objective, detached point of view (3rd position; "a fly on the wall").
The idea of multiple perceptual positions in NLP was originally inspired by Gregory Bateson
's double description who purported that double (or triple) descriptions are better than one. By deliberately training oneself in moving between perceptual positions one can develop a new choice of responses.
One basic example in NLP training involves considering an experience (typically a relationship) from the perspective of self, other and a detached third person in that situation. It could be something that has occurred already or something that will occur in the future. This type of exercise is useful in gathering information and often a new choice in the world become available without a deliberate intervention. Because of the systemic nature of human's lives, often a person in a situation cannot see answers that a person standing outside can. So by moving between different perceptual positions, one can see a problem in new ways or with greater detachment, and thus gather more information and develop new choices of response.
Another type of multiple perceptual positions involves looking at a situation from the viewpoint of the multiple people involved. For example, a strike looks very different from the viewpoint of a CEO, a worker, a customer and a supplier. A problem is almost always harder to solve if a person only appreciates their own viewpoint, and not those of others involved.
Robert Dilts
uses multiple perceptual positions in his Disney Creativity Strategy. In this work, based on his modeling of Walt Disney, he teaches people to examine a goal from the perception of the Dreamer, the Realist (the one who brings it into reality), and the Critic.
Connirae Andreas and Tamara Andreas teach a procedure entitled "aligning perceptual positions". This procedure enables a user to clean up their ability to see, hear and feel things from each of the three perceptual positions by eliminating overlap from other positions.
The founders of NLP modeled this from Virginia Satir
, the renowned family therapist
, who at times went so far as to hold what became affectionately known as "parts parties" where she would guide a client to stand - literally - in everyone's shoes, until they understood better others' position and feelings in the matter.
Neuro-linguistic programming
Neuro-linguistic programming is an approach to psychotherapy, self-help and organizational change. Founders Richard Bandler and John Grinder say that NLP is a model of interpersonal communication and a system of alternative therapy which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective...
and psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
term denoting that a complex system
Complex system
A complex system is a system composed of interconnected parts that as a whole exhibit one or more properties not obvious from the properties of the individual parts....
may look very different, and different information will be available, depending how one perceives it and one's point of view. For example, considering a situation or relationship from the perspective of self (1st position), another person involved (2nd position) or from a neutral, objective, detached point of view (3rd position; "a fly on the wall").
The idea of multiple perceptual positions in NLP was originally inspired by Gregory Bateson
Gregory Bateson
Gregory Bateson was an English anthropologist, social scientist, linguist, visual anthropologist, semiotician and cyberneticist whose work intersected that of many other fields. He had a natural ability to recognize order and pattern in the universe...
's double description who purported that double (or triple) descriptions are better than one. By deliberately training oneself in moving between perceptual positions one can develop a new choice of responses.
One basic example in NLP training involves considering an experience (typically a relationship) from the perspective of self, other and a detached third person in that situation. It could be something that has occurred already or something that will occur in the future. This type of exercise is useful in gathering information and often a new choice in the world become available without a deliberate intervention. Because of the systemic nature of human's lives, often a person in a situation cannot see answers that a person standing outside can. So by moving between different perceptual positions, one can see a problem in new ways or with greater detachment, and thus gather more information and develop new choices of response.
Another type of multiple perceptual positions involves looking at a situation from the viewpoint of the multiple people involved. For example, a strike looks very different from the viewpoint of a CEO, a worker, a customer and a supplier. A problem is almost always harder to solve if a person only appreciates their own viewpoint, and not those of others involved.
Robert Dilts
Robert Dilts
Robert Dilts has been a developer, author, trainer and consultant in the field of Neuro-linguistic programming since its creation in 1975 by John Grinder and Richard Bandler....
uses multiple perceptual positions in his Disney Creativity Strategy. In this work, based on his modeling of Walt Disney, he teaches people to examine a goal from the perception of the Dreamer, the Realist (the one who brings it into reality), and the Critic.
Connirae Andreas and Tamara Andreas teach a procedure entitled "aligning perceptual positions". This procedure enables a user to clean up their ability to see, hear and feel things from each of the three perceptual positions by eliminating overlap from other positions.
The founders of NLP modeled this from Virginia Satir
Virginia Satir
Virginia Satir was an American author and psychotherapist, known especially for her approach to family therapy and her work with Systemic Constellations...
, the renowned family therapist
Family therapy
Family therapy, also referred to as couple and family therapy, family systems therapy, and family counseling, is a branch of psychotherapy that works with families and couples in intimate relationships to nurture change and development. It tends to view change in terms of the systems of...
, who at times went so far as to hold what became affectionately known as "parts parties" where she would guide a client to stand - literally - in everyone's shoes, until they understood better others' position and feelings in the matter.
See also
- Philosophy of perceptionPhilosophy of perceptionThe philosophy of perception is concerned with the nature of perceptual experience and the status of perceptual data, in particular how they relate to beliefs about, or knowledge of, the world. Any explicit account of perception requires a commitment to one of a variety of ontological or...
- Principles of NLP