Comments to: crs@uvm.eduReviewed as of 4/20/98
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRODUCED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL LEADERSHIP
PROGRAM. IT IS POSTED BY THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES FOR PUBLIC
USE. THE CENTER FOR RURAL STUDIES ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE CONTENTS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, REFER TO THE USERS GUIDE.
EXERCISE 2
Perceptual Styles
Basically, people use three major groups of senses when perceiving
the world:
1) Visual (seeing)
2) Auditory (hearing)
3) Kinesthetic (touch, taste, and smell)
Because people tend to prefer one sense over the others, it becomes
the dominant way they perceive the world, or their perceptual
style. Understanding your own style is a key part of understanding
how you think and learn.
Determining the style can be done by asking a discovery question
which focuses on a success or pleasure. Do this brief exercise in
pairs with someone who doesn't know you well.
One person asks the other to think about a favorite place, and then
ask what it is that they like about it. Record every word of the
answer. Switch roles so that both of you have your description
recorded.
You will tend to mention things about this place that demonstrate
your perceptual style. With your partner, evaluate what you said
and look for words, interests, and metaphors that indicate a
preferred style. (If no preference emerges, this is also
noteworthy. Some people show little preference and balance all
three styles evenly).
For example, a visual person might first say is that the place
looks beautiful. We speak the language of our style, so look for
words that describe a sense (see notes on language on the next
page).
1) Visual people like to see pictures and like to hear vivid
descriptions.
2) Auditory people like lengthy explanations and animated
voice tones.
3) Kinesthetic people like doing exercises, touching things,
and feelings.
Although people have an "overall" style, they do use other styles
when doing things; because we prefer one sense doesn't mean we
don't use the others. Also, sometimes we have different
preferences for different things. For example, someone who tends
to be very visual in personal expression may be a kinesthetic
learner when it comes to learning how to use equipment.
Knowing your own style, or styles, can be useful in many ways. It
tells you how you learn; if you are visual, ask for pictures and
diagrams the next time you don't understand a verbal explanation.
When you want to make an effective public speech, use metaphors and
examples in your style so the presentation is coherent. When you
need to get moving on something and feel stuck, ask yourself what
you need to see, or hear, or feel happening in order to get back on
track.
Of course, you can easily learn the style of another person with
this exercise. Once you know someone's preferred style, you can
"speak their language" and develop a rapport with the person much
more quickly than might otherwise happen.
>> Language
Visual--I see what you are saying, that's clear, that's perfectly
lucid, show it to me, that matches, insight, cloudy, dim, dark,
focus, bright, vague, flash, colors, perspective...
Auditory--I hear you, that clicks, I'm in tune with it, that rings
a bell, I can't make rhyme or reason of it, loud, scream, shout,
hearing, tune, harmony, music...
Kinesthetic--I catch your drift, that fits, that strikes me as
being right, I'm taking it all in, don't let it slip away, feels,
warm, cold, excited, smooth, rough, touch and go...
>> Further notes on the exercise:
Dr. Milton Erickson pioneered research into hypnotic trance and
perceptual style. His work has been recently popularized by the
Neuro- Linguistic Programming (NLP) movement, which teaches people
in various professions to use perceptual styles for more effective
communications and relationships with others.
The point is for participants to see some area in which they have
a preferred perceptual style, and understand that the perception of
the world through our dominant sense is different than if it came
through another sense. Our perception colors our reality.
Perceptual styles are fascinating, and their uses are numerous.
This exercise is designed so that participants learn their own
style, but there may be further interest in other applications.
Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins explores this topic.
>> Time: 10 minutes for the cycle; 15 to 20 minutes for discussion.
Comments to: crs@uvm.edu
Reviewed as of 4/20/98