Part Thirteen: Part C Re-Modelling Perceptual Positioning and Processing

This article first appeared in Rapport 58, Winter 2002

New Models

Having identified that much of the key perceptual processing is beyond the PP model, even with my additions, the next step is to build new models that supply the necessary detail. The result will be a more extensive, accurate and useful model.

Benefits of New Modelling

1. Even better at fulfilling the identified benefits of subjective processing.
2. Offers additional benefits of developmental modelling.
3. Identifies new processes
4. Promotes new skills
5. Leads to new techniques
6. Greatly increases in our understanding of subjective experience and a subsequently offers a richer basis for further modelling of subjective processing
7. Promotes a developmental approach and avoids the “dead-end dogmatic thinking of closed models
8. An explicit modelling of double vision and multiple description.

The PP model identifies different positions to process “FROM”. We can improve on this by also including what we are attending “TO”. We can improve on this further if we include the context to process “IN”. These elements are integrated in the DBM “In-From-To” model.

In – From – To Model

The aim of this model is to identify the three universal components in any information processing. No matter what position is adopted you are always somewhere (Spike Milligan), attending to something in relation to some context. As you are attending to these words, you are attending from a particular point of view and within a context of ‘learning’, ’curiosity’, maybe even criticism. As you make sense of what you read there will emerge an internal ‘from’ and ‘to’; you will be attending to the sense you make from a subtly different spatial position.

The In-From-To model can replace the PP model as a guide to positioning. It is more naturalistic in language and does not need to be learnt by clients, as they already know how these terms function, although they won’t have used them systematically in a formal model.

Comparison of instruction using PP model and In-From-To Model

In the following table I have given a comparison of the two models in use. I have also highlighted some elements in the PP model text that indicates some of the variations outlined above. You will also notice that there is a lot use of “To” and “From” and relevant subjective and objective language when instructions for the PP model get more specific. In addition notice that with the PP model specific distinctions need to be ‘taught’ to the subject whereas with the In-From-To model they are followed by presupposition. This highlights the potential for conversational and informal change.

With the In-From-To model more complex instructions are equally easy to give. How would you use the PP model to give the following instructions?

Exploration Exercise:

Follow the instructions and then reflect on your experience. How would you describe the relationship within and between the of experiences:

a. Using the perceptual positions model to think about it.
b. Using the relationship of In, From and To.

“Become aware of yourself and how you feel at the moment. Think of things you could do this weekend. What comes to mind?
Thinking as a friend, what comes to mind? Thinking as a family member, what comes to mind?
Thinking as a professional, what comes to mind?
Thinking as an individual, what comes to mind?
Thinking as a whole person with many interests and responsibilities, what comes to mind?
In terms of relaxation what could you do and how could it be useful for each of these aspects? Think of the next few weeks, does that make a difference to what would be useful? Think of the next few years, does that make a difference?
Repeat in terms of family harmony.
Repeat in terms of your professional development.
Repeat in terms of novelty and excitement.
Repeat in terms of meaningfulness.
Now feel yourself doing all of these and notice what feels the most relevant for you to be doing.”

My modelling of the work of Milton Erickson was greatly enhanced by these models that I created. It became easier to track multiple processing as well as multi-level processing. The In-From-To Model can also be used for multiple processing (4th position), “from the point of view of the group, how do you think things are going?” It is also used for “fractal Modelling”, and advanced DBM modelling tools.

DBM Structural Processing Model

I have been committed to a systems approach for over twenty years, indeed my own company “Sensory Systems” was chosen to emphasise this. In recent years I have noticed an increase in reference to systems and systems thinking. Initially I was really pleased but became increasingly uncomfortable, something felt wrong. Although I was hearing references to systems and systems thinking many of the people I was hearing this from were still operating in the same old linear thinking style. I came across the same thing in a number of organisations I was working with. Managers would use systems flow diagrams but they were outside the system, talking from a single point of view rather than from the system. Over many years of modelling I recognise this feeling as a great source of new modelling. In this case I used the “In-From-To” model, as a common element in most of the examples was how people were thinking “From” and how they attended “To”, together with a number of models of thinking that I had created and eventually created the following model. This model outlines the different processing structures in the three areas of In, From and To. It is easy to realise what I was reacting to. Systems thinking is an objective skill in attending to. It is very different from thinking systemically, the subjective skill of thinking from. This model is useful for much more. It outlines the progressive development of attending to simple units, atomic processing; of attending from a single perspective, attending atomically.

Subjective Processing Development Exercise

This is a very rich model. The following exercise gives a simple introduction to the different elements and how they can be practised to improve your flexibility and choice in perceptual processing. We will only use the FROM and TO for this exercise. The IN greatly increases the possibilities but space is limited. After you have explored this exercise the changes in context (IN) may be easier to work out and use.

Continuing: These instructions (28 in all, 42 if we had included the context instructions, now where else have I read that number?) direct the subject’s perceptual processing in very different ways.Integrated ModelIN DBM we have integrated a number of these models for more effective application. When they are coordinated they operate as a true multiple description with the subsequent increase in relatedness and information.Note the hierarchy of structure and function. Bateson identified a similar structure in a number of communication and information processing models (Mind and Nature p. 194 –197).Concluding CommentsOur perceptual processing is a central life skill. Any models that help us to understand ourselves, and others, more, can be used to make the most useful changes.For beginners, the simple Perceptual Positions model is ideal. It draws attention to other areas to attend to in any interaction. As it is presented, as a complete model, it can be a dead end in terns of skill development. This is evident in the number of advanced NLP practitioners and trainers who use only this model.The original model of Satir’s outlined by Bandler and Grinder, that doesn’t seem to have been included in the creation of New Code Perceptual Positions model, is richer in distinction as it outlines what to attend to: self, other or context. The down side of the increase in richness is the extra commitment required to learn them.As a modeller, even the Satir distinction supplemented by Bandler and Grinder were insufficient for modelling the subtleties of our human subjective processing that I was exploring. To improve my modelling, I needed to once again increase my understanding of our perceptual processing. This required using modelling to model the HOW and WHY of subjective processing. Over many years of modelling, I created new models that could operate at the level of precision I required. These models offered many new possibilities for the modeller, therapist, consultant and educator. As with the Satir model the extra benefits of these new models also require more commitment on the part of the student.This range of tools offers a set of effective models for guiding the changing of perceptual processing. The level chosen will reflect the level of precision required by the user. I hope that readers interested in developing precision will be encouraged to experiment and explore other models beyond the basic ones, especially if you have experienced the frustration of simple classroom models not working beyond the classroom. In addition to more precision offered, there is also the potential satisfaction from a deeper understanding of the richness of our subjective processing through the ability to investigate and develop a deeper understanding.Using these models and improving our modelling skills will not only offer many new possibilities; it will also make us even better modellers, improve our flexibility and creativity, our openness to experience life in its fullest – as a whole and in detail.In the next article, I will outline some re-modelling of ‘Association’ and ‘Disassociation’ building on the In-From-To model. To get even more from this article, you could explore, ahead of time, your own experience of these concepts and what you have experienced in relation to them. You will then be in an even better position to use the article for your own learning.References: Bandler, Richard & Grinder, John, The Structure of Magic vol.1, Science and Behaviour Books, Inc 1975 Bandler, Richard, Grinder, John, and Satir, Virginia, Changing with Families, Science and Behaviour Books, 1976 Bateson, Gregory, Mind and Nature, Dutton, 1979 Bateson, Gregory, Angels Fear, Rider 1988 Bateson, Gregory and Ruesch, Jurgen, Communication, The Social Matrix Of Psychiatry, Norton & Co. 1951 Bateson, Gregory, Sacred Unity, Further Steps To An Ecology Of Mind, Harper Collins 1991 Dilts, Robert and DeLozier, Judith, Encyclopaedia of NLP, http://www.nlpuniversitypress.com Grinder, John, and Bandler, Richard, The Structure of Magic vol.I1, Science and Behaviour Books, Inc 1976 Grinder, John, DeLozier, Judith, Turtles All the Way Down, Grinder, DeLozier and Associates 1987 McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 1 – Models and Modelling, Rapport (1998) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 2 – Re-Modelling Language, Rapport (1999) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 3 – Feeling, Conflict and Integration, Rapport (1999) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 4 – Basic Structures and Processes, Rapport (1999) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 5 – Planning, Problem-Solving, Outcomes and Achieving, Rapport (1999) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 6 – Understanding Change, Rapport (2000) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 7 – Facilitating Change, Rapport (2000) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 8 – Performing Change, Rapport (2000) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 9 – Organising Change, Rapport (2001) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 10 – Unconscious Processes and Hypnosis, Rapport (2001) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 11 – Metaphors, Rapport (2001) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 12A – Hypnotic Inductions and Hypnotherapy, Rapport (2001) McWhirter, Re-Modelling NLP, Part 12B – Hypnotic Inductions and Hypnotherapy, Rapport (2002) Perls, F., Hefferline, Ralph, F., and Goodman, Paul, Gestalt Therapy, Penguin Books 1973 (1st published 1951) Stevens, John, O., Awareness, Real Peoples Press, 1971DBM is a registered trademark of Sensory Systems Training.John can be contacted at:
Sensory Systems Training
162 Queens Drive
Queens Park
Glasgow G42 8QN
Phone: 0141 424 4177
Email: johnm@sensorysystems.co.uk