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NLP Submodalities

Our five senses, or our representational system, are called Modalities. In NLP Sub-modalities are the special sensory qualities perceived by each of the five senses. The sub-modalities can be seen as the parameters of the modality. To get you started, let’s introduce the sub-modalities of our modalities: 

  • Visual: picture, slides or movie, bright or dim, size (relative to life), near or far, focussed or unfocussed etc.
  • Auditory: left or right ear, dolby surround, pace, timbre etc.
  • Kinesthetic: movement of the feeling, intensity, weight, pressure, heat, cold etc.
  • Olfactory: is there any smell attached, pungent, sweet, etc.
  • Gustatory: sweet, sour, bitter etc.

These are just examples of properties of the modalities or Representational System. Asking these properties to the person you are interviewing gives you an indication. As a result it indicates of what the specific memory this person has. Hence, keep in mind that utilizing these properties enable you to do make your work easy. It keeps the memories of the person you work with as anonymous as possible. Last but not least note that you are only asking the properties, not the content.

Because submodalities are qualities of sensory perception. Interpretations are complex secondary evaluations of perceptions and their meanings. In other words, submodalities are the way how we encode, store and decode experiences we have in our life.

Visual Sub-modalities

Visual submodalities are the specific qualities and characteristics of how we perceive visual information. They help us understand and interpret what we see. Here are some key visual submodalities:

  1. Color: Refers to the hues we perceive, such as red, blue, or green. Different colors can evoke different emotions and responses.
  2. Shape: Represents the outlines and forms of objects, like circles, squares, or irregular shapes. Shape helps us identify and categorize objects.
  3. Movement: Describes how objects move in our visual field, including speed and direction. Movement can draw our attention and create dynamics in a scene.
  4. Brightness: Pertains to the intensity of light in a visual image. Brightness can affect mood and visibility, making objects stand out or fade into the background.
  5. Depth: Relates to the perception of distance and three-dimensionality. Depth cues, such as perspective and shading, help us understand how far away objects are from us.

 

Together, these submodalities shape our visual experiences and influence how we react to our environment. Understanding them can enhance skills in communication, art, and design.

Audio Sub-modalities

Auditory submodalities refer to the specific characteristics of sound that influence how we perceive and interpret auditory information. Here are some key auditory submodalities:

  1. Volume: This refers to the loudness or softness of a sound. Changes in volume can convey emotions, indicate importance, or draw attention.
  2. Pitch: Pitch describes how high or low a sound is. Different pitches can evoke different feelings and help distinguish between sounds, such as musical notes or voices.
  3. Tempo: This is the speed at which a sound or piece of music is played. A fast tempo can create excitement or urgency, while a slow tempo might evoke calm or reflection.
  4. Tone: The quality or character of a sound, often influenced by its pitch and volume. Tone can express emotions, such as anger or happiness, in speech or music.
  5. Rhythm: This involves the pattern of sounds and silences in time, contributing to the flow and movement of music or speech. Rhythm can create structure and engage listeners.

 

These auditory submodalities work together to shape our auditory experiences, influencing how we understand and respond to sounds in our environment, communication, and art.

Kinesthetic Sub-modalities

Kinesthetic submodalities refer to the different qualities of physical sensations that we experience in our bodies. These help us interpret and interact with the world around us. Here are some key kinesthetic submodalities:

  1. Pressure: This describes how hard or soft something feels when it touches your skin. You might experience light pressure, like a gentle touch, or heavy pressure, like a firm grip.
  2. Temperature: This relates to how hot or cold something feels. Temperature can evoke specific emotional responses, such as warmth feeling comforting and cold feeling sharp or refreshing.
  3. Texture: This involves the surface qualities of an object, like smooth, rough, bumpy, or soft. Texture can significantly impact our physical experiences and preferences.
  4. Location: This refers to where a sensation is felt in the body. Different areas might experience sensations differently, such as a tickle on your arm versus a chill down your spine.
  5. Movement: This includes the feeling of movement within the body, such as the flow of energy, muscle tension, or the motion of walking or dancing. Movement can be fluid, jerky, rapid, or slow.

 

These kinesthetic submodalities shape how we physically experience and respond to our surroundings, enhancing our ability to connect with emotions, learn, and communicate through body language.

Download your NLP Sub-Modalities Comparison Sheet.

You can download your free NLP Sub-Modalities checklist here.

NLP Sub-modalities Exercise: Changing an Emotion

Objective: To change the way you perceive a negative emotion using NLP submodalities.

Materials Needed: A quiet space, paper, and pen.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Identify the Emotion: Think of a specific negative emotion you want to change (e.g., fear, anxiety, anger).

Recall a Recent Experience: Recall a recent situation where you felt this emotion. Take a moment to fully immerse yourself in that memory. Notice how it feels in your body.

Explore the Submodalities:

  • Visual: Consider the images that come to mind. What does the image look like? Is it in color or black and white? Is it big or small? Is it clear or blurry?
  • Auditory: Pay attention to any sounds related to this emotion. What do you hear? Is there a voice or any background noise? Is it loud or soft?
  • Kinesthetic: Focus on the physical sensations in your body. Is there tension, heaviness, or warmth? Where do you feel it?
  • Other Modalities: You might also think of taste and smell if they are relevant to your experience.

 

Record Your Observations: Write down your findings for each submodality category. This will help you clarify how the emotion manifests in different ways.

Change the Submodalities:

Start adjusting the submodalities:

  • For Visual: Change the colors to bright and vibrant or make the image small and far away.
  • For Auditory: Alter the sounds. Make them quieter or change them to something funny or silly.
  • For Kinesthetic: Transform the physical sensations into lighter, more pleasant feelings. You could visualize them as a balloon floating away.


Create a New Representation: Imagine this newly modified representation as your new way of feeling about this situation. Repeat this process several times until it feels more natural.

Anchoring: Choose a physical gesture (like tapping your fingers) to anchor this new feeling. Practice using this gesture while recalling the new representation to reinforce the change.

Reflection: Reflect on how the emotion feels after practicing the exercise. Write down any changes in your perspective.

Practice: Repeat this exercise whenever you encounter the negative emotion to strengthen the new response.

Conclusion: This exercise can help you understand and alter your emotional responses through the manipulation of NLP submodalities. Feel free to adjust the exercise according to your preferences and experiences for the best results.

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