When teaching the fundamentals of Perceptual Filtering : Distortions, Deletions and Generalisations, It is useful to distinguish between absolutes and varying degrees using the 'Analogical Gradient' in fig. 1 below. I claim no originality in the content, but the structure is useful, particularly for those students who can't see when listening to a presentation.
The gradient can allow the exploration of degree within language and give students more choice and flexibility in their speech. To recap, Absolute levels are either all or nothing (Fig.1). Analogue, by degree has however, a theoretical infinite number of steps in a gradient between limits(Fig.2).
So, someone who uses language patterns such as:
Nobody likes me
It never works
It always happens to me
Can be challenged through the meta model as usual;
Nobody at all ?
Can you think of a situation where it has sometimes worked
All of the time?
The second challenge is the preferred style as the student has to go on a search to find an example, usually supplying the answer within the gradient's range, whereas the first and third examples may allow the student to take the easy way out by replying 'yes'.
The examples give above are fairly simple but can be applied to more real world situations where there is more detail hidden within the surface structure.
e.g. for a belief:
"I can't cook!"
The deep structure may be revealed by using the meta model with; what specifically, what exactly questions to reveal:
"I can't cook [this cake using (all)these useless utensils and ingredients in this (Whole)kitchen]"
Whoa! Suddenly we have found ourselves at a capability level. We can now comfortably rescue some self esteem by;
Can you think of anywhere where you have cooked well?
We have presupposed that they have cooked well, only asking where. The answer can be given by the student or repeated by the facilitator
So you can cook sometimes
So here we have reinforced the capability of the student and given an analogical value around cooking. To check a value, we can ask how much? and you should be able to read off the analogical gradient. E.g.:
A lot, 50%, much, great, etc
The gradient will even work for other values and nominalisations such as love, compassion, fury etc. (A nominalisation is where a verb has been changed into a noun).
A full session/lesson could also include activities by students listing absolutes and analogical possibilities, with some roleplay to accentuate learning. The learning could be made competitive by points being awarded for each team for the correct number in each round.
If you want further information you can contact me by telephone:01 531 822 939 Or email: [email protected]
This model, although protected by copyright, is available freely for use in the public domain subject only to the recognition of the source.
{symbol 227 \f "Symbol" \s 10|ã}Steve Cowie QUORUM 1998 all rights reserved.