Erickson Conversational Flashcards
What is a ‘LOST PERFORMATIVE’ (in NLP terms) and how/why might it be used?
LOST PERFORMATIVE: Stating a value judgment without specifying whose judgment it is.
- Its a good thing to wonder.
- Its ok to relax.
Its a good way to embed suggestion in a non-commanding manner, is it not?
What is ‘IMPLIED CAUSATIVE’ or ‘IMPLIED LINKS’ and why might one decide to use this language pattern as a tool?
Please give an example of how it might be used.
To connect events/things can inspire one to become a trigger for another.
‘Now, as you sit down on that comfortable chair you can allow those eyes close
and slip into trance.’
Linking behaviour together makes it much more fluid and automatic than seemingly isolated events.
When we learned to drive a car, we learned many bits of isolated behavior. As we grouped them together they became triggers for each other, linked naturally together. By operating trance in this way we can speak to the subconscious more fluidly and effectively.
‘Sit on the chair.’ (((As you )))
‘Allow those eyes to close.’ (((And)))
‘Slip into trance.’
((( * Simplifies and chunks the event . * )))
The chair becomes a trigger.
What are ‘truisms’ or ‘stating observable facts’ and why would we use them?
Give an example..
Truisms can be used to embed suggestions and create a ‘yes’ state of mind in which expectancy for something to be true.
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What is ‘conscious overload’ , ‘pattern interrupt’ and ‘confusion’ in a hypnotic context, and how might they be useful ?
Give an example of how it might be used.
Disrupting normal patterns of thinking can provide fertile ground for change.
When a person is in a state of confusion they are more likely to enter a more passive mindset and be less critical and more open to suggestion.
- Irregularity and surprise captures attention.
- Paul Mckenna uses confusion regularly in his recordings by using sentences which have double tripple meanings and/or unclear joinings.
- Milton Ericksons famous handshake interrupt puts people into a state of shock, which he utilizes by orientating them into trance.
- Flux dislodges the conscious mind and can trigger a state of child-like wonder.
- When we are young everything is new and unusual. Confusion can re-trigger this mindset, with is associated with change and learning.
What is ‘Metacommunication’ , in an NLP context?
Give an example of how it may be used.
Communication on a more subtle, indirect and unconscious level. Ie pauses, doubt in voice, gestures, subtle social cues and contexts. Can be used together with all other techniques.
Eg
- I dont know when you will begin to slip into trance (LONG PAUSE).
The pause adds another dimension to the implication that you will slip into trance, implying that it will happen soon. I’m waiting for something to happen! - If you will begin by sensing the trance as automatic, or feel that you are in control.
Subtle implication that you will feel out of control eventually. This metacommunication might cast doubt on control.
OPEN ENDED SUGGESTIONS
What are they and why use them?
OPEN ENDED SUGGESTIONS suggest a response, whilst acknowledging any other response, or lack of response as also being good.
You can hear these words now, enjoy these words, or simply allow them to slip into the back of your mind, as you consider the times you may use this language pattern.
What is a ‘bind’ in an NLP context?
Give an example of its use.
A choice between two or more options, all options leading to a favorable direction.
- Would you like to go into trance now or take a moment to become comfortable first?
What is a ‘double bind’ in NLP terms?
How does it differ from a standard ‘bind’ ?
Give an example of a double bind might be used.
Like a standard ‘bind’ a ‘double bind’ gives the surface appearance of a simple choice, with both choices being favorable to a certain direction.
A ‘double bind’ is unique in that it implies subconscious or automatic behaviour.
- Do you begin to experience a numbness in the fingers or the back of the hand
first?
What is a ‘Double dissociation double bind’ in an NLP context and how can it be useful?
DOUBLE-DISSOCIATION DOUBLE BIND - Double binds which offer two or more alternatives of dissociation. They are valuable as they offer the subconscious the free choice of expression and tend to confuse the conscious mind, whilst encouraging unconscious response.
- You can as a person awaken but you do not need to awaken as a body. (Pause)
You can awaken when your body awakes but without a recognition of your body.
Give another example.
What is COMPOUND SUGGESTION?
A compound suggestion is when a suggestion is hitch-hiked onto something else, in order to give it more power.
A basic example of a compound is a truism followed by a suggestion proper.
- Its a common experience to forget a dream, to find it slipping away like sand through fingers and i dont know what your subconscious will choose to share with you when you awaken.
- Pain tends to come and go. For a moment we can forget we are in pain. The pain ceices to exist and your subconscious can surprise you now or in 5 minutes.
- Of course there are people who have suffered anxiety and turned out to have a much greater ability to relax than they knew. They had no special abilities and often its just a matter of letting the unconscious express itself to its full potential. Clearly your subconscious has already altered your rate of breathing, your heart rate has altered. Your unconscious can go on a silent hunt now, for times in the past when you have really enjoyed relaxing. There have been many times in the past of deep comfort and I dont know if you know, that you already possess the ability to deeply relax. Id like you to discover that your subconscious can surprise you in whatever way it chooses.
What is a Contingent Suggestion?
A type of compound where a suggestion is hitchhiked on to another response, often already happening, ongoing or inevitable.
-Your eyes will get tired and close all by themselves as you continue looking at that
spot.
(The implication of going into trance is hitchhiked onto the natural response of the eyes to become tired when in intense focus)
-You will find yourself becoming more relaxed and comfortable as you continue
sitting there with your eyes closed.
(Implication of going into trance is hitchhiked onto natural response of relaxation when sitting with eyes closed)
Give an example of where distraction might be used in trance.
Dr Milton Erickson often used distraction techniques post-trance, to prevent conscious interference.
It is speculated that there is a 5 minute in-between period after a person has formally awoken from trance.
When distraction is used to stop the conscious mind ‘playing around in the grey area’ it creates a better trance/wake distinction (facilitating amnesia etc) & helps to prevent framework limits from interfering with the trance work.
Maybe like when we wake up in the morning after having a dream - if we make an effort to remember the dream immediately after awakening, we can normally hold onto the dream and remember parts or all of it. If we are distracted,we tend to forget it.
Where can questions be used in trance and what makes them so useful?
Explain some of their uses.
One of the most surprising aspects of Milton Ericksons approach is his use of questions to focus attention, to suggest indirectly, and to reinforce all at the same time.
Must be careful since questions can be detrimental ie when they are intrusive.
Studies show that the unconscious mind continues a search related to the question long after the conscious mind is satisfied and focussed elsewhere.
Whats the ‘magic’ behind the scenes in Dr Milton Ericksons famous ‘HANDSHAKE INDUCTION’?
Dr Erickson would sometimes strategically move his fingers whilst shaking a persons hand, before bringing their hand to the air, or gently leaving it in an un-natural position.
This would -
Confuse
Overwhelm
A state of confusion can encourage trance.
Why might one be mindful of rhythm when inducing trance?
RHYTHMS –
Rhythms and atypical grammar tend to be powerful trance inducers. Music, poetry and other common trance inducers tend to use rhythms. Dr Milton Erickson commonly used irregular rhythm and atypical grammar.
One very effective away to establish report is by matching your rhythms with patients - ie breathing , or mirroring their own rhythms back to them in different ways (ie subtly tap finger every time they breath out).
