External signs that give us information about what we do inside. These include breathing, gestures, posture, and eye patterns.

This is “acting as if” something were true. For example, pretending you are competent at something you are not. The idea is that the pretense will increase your capability.

Analogue distinctions have continuous variations, as opposed to Digital distinctions that have distinct variations.

The NLP technique whereby a stimulus is linked to a response. An anchor can be intentional or naturally occurring.

Being fully in touch with an experience, seeing through your own eyes, hearing with your own ears, and feeling the associated sensations.

Relating to the sense of hearing.

To go back and summarize or review what was previously covered, as in a meeting or conversation.

Any external, observable activity we engage in.

Generalizations we make about the world and our opinions about it.

The process of observing changes in another person’s behavior to identify their emotional state.

Moving up or down logical levels in thinking. Chunking up is generalizing, while chunking down is specifying.

This occurs when two statements are considered to mean the same thing, e.g., “She doesn’t look at me, so she must dislike me.”

When a person’s behavior matches their words and intentions.

That which we are aware of at any given moment.

A SubModality process of analyzing two sets of SubModalities to discover the drivers, or key differences, between them.

Giving another meaning to a statement by recovering more content, which changes the focus or perspective of the statement.

Giving another meaning to a statement by changing the context. For example, asking “In what situation would this behavior be more appropriate?”

The NLP word for values—what is important to you. These criteria often drive behavior and decision-making.

Matching a person’s external behavior with a different movement, e.g., moving your finger to match the client’s breathing.

The unconscious basis for the surface structure of a statement. Much of the deep structure is out of awareness.

One of the three major processes (including distortion and generalization) on which the Meta Model is based. Deletion occurs when we leave out a portion of our experience.

Digital distinctions have distinct variations of meaning, as in a digital watch or an “on/off” switch.

It deals with your relationship to an experience. For example, in a memory, you are dissociated when you are not looking through your own eyes and see yourself in the picture.

One of the three major processes (including deletion and generalization) on which the Meta Model is based. Distortion occurs when something is mistaken for something it is not.

Downtime occurs whenever we go inside our own mind for reflection, visualization, or recalling information.

In SubModalities, drivers are the key distinctions that make the difference. They are identified through contrastive analysis and are pivotal in altering perceptions.

In NLP, ecology refers to the study of consequences and ensuring changes are beneficial to the individual and their environment.

Inducing a state or gathering information by asking questions or observing behavior to understand internal processes.

Movements of the eyes in certain directions that indicate visual, auditory, or kinesthetic thinking patterns.

The study of knowledge and understanding how we know what we know.

One of the perceptual positions. First Position involves seeing the world through your own perspective, being associated with your own experiences.

A frame sets a context or way to interpret a situation, such as the Outcome Frame or As-If Frame.

Mentally rehearsing a future scenario to install strategies and ensure desired outcomes occur when needed.

One of the three major processes in the Meta Model. Generalization occurs when one specific experience represents a whole category of experiences.

Relating to the sense of taste.

When a person’s behavior does not match their words, leading to a lack of alignment between internal states and external actions.

The outcome or purpose behind a behavior or action.

The content of our thinking, including pictures, sounds, feelings, tastes, smells, and internal dialogue.

Relating to the sense of touch or physical sensations.

This law states that “In any system, the element with the greatest flexibility will have the most influence or control.”

After establishing rapport, leading involves guiding a person’s state or behavior by changing your own behavior in a way that encourages them to follow.

The preferred representational system someone uses to access information, often identified by eye-accessing cues.

The level of abstraction or specificity in thought or communication. For example, “Animal” is a higher logical level than “Dog.”

The category of information. For example, “Fruits” is a different logical type from “Vehicles.”

Changing the SubModalities of one experience to match those of another, often to alter how the experience is perceived.

Deliberately imitating portions of another’s behavior to create rapport and enhance communication.

Changing the meaning of a situation by recovering additional content or changing the focus of attention.

A model of language that identifies and clarifies deletions, distortions, and generalizations in communication.

Unconscious mental filters that influence how people perceive and respond to the world, such as “Toward” vs. “Away From.”

A story, analogy, or figure of speech used to convey a concept or bypass resistance by appealing to the unconscious mind.

A model of hypnotic language patterns derived from Milton Erickson, designed to access unconscious resources and create trance states.

Imitating another person’s behavior, gestures, or speech patterns as a way to build rapport.

Deliberately or unintentionally opposing someone’s behavior or ideas, which can either break rapport or highlight differences.

Words that indicate necessity (e.g., must, should) or possibility (e.g., can, may) and often reveal a person’s internal rules or constraints.

Identifying and replicating the thought processes, behaviors, and strategies of successful individuals.

An individual’s unique perspective and understanding of reality, shaped by their experiences, beliefs, and values.

A methodology for understanding and improving human behavior, communication, and personal development using language and neurology.

Turning a process or action into a static noun, such as turning “communicating” into “communication.”

Relating to the sense of smell.

A desired result or goal that one aims to achieve, often used in setting clear and actionable intentions.

Using one representational system to lead into another, such as describing a visual scene to evoke a feeling.

Matching or mirroring another person’s behavior or state to build rapport and create a sense of connection.

A concept in NLP where aspects of the self are treated as distinct parts that can be communicated with and integrated.

A technique for resolving internal conflicts by aligning and integrating opposing parts of the self.

A method of viewing a situation from different perspectives: first position (self), second position (other), and third position (observer).

A language pattern where a word sounds like another word, creating multiple interpretations (e.g., “I see” vs. “icy”).

The representational system (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, etc.) a person most commonly uses to process information.

Assumptions implied by language that influence understanding and behavior, often used in communication and change work.

Core beliefs and assumptions that form the foundation of NLP, such as “The map is not the territory” and “Every behavior has a positive intent.”

The dominant sensory modality a person uses to experience and interpret the world.

A language pattern where punctuation changes the meaning of a sentence, often creating multiple interpretations.

A storytelling technique in NLP where a message is embedded within a quoted story to bypass resistance and influence the unconscious mind.

A sense of connection and trust established through matching, mirroring, and effective communication techniques.

The process of changing the meaning or perspective of a situation to create a different emotional or behavioral response.

The way information is stored and processed internally, such as through images, sounds, feelings, tastes, or smells.

The sensory modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, gustatory) through which people perceive and represent their experiences.

Internal or external elements, such as skills, strategies, or support systems, that enable a person to achieve desired outcomes.

A positive emotional or mental state that enhances a person’s ability to think, act, or perform effectively.

One of the perceptual positions, where a person imagines experiencing a situation from another person’s perspective.

The ability to observe and interpret subtle sensory cues in others, such as changes in posture, breathing, or facial expressions.

A description based on observable sensory information, such as “Her voice was soft” or “He moved quickly,” rather than subjective interpretations.

A person’s emotional, mental, and physiological condition at a specific moment, which influences their behavior and responses.

A sequence of internal and external processes used to achieve a specific outcome, such as decision-making or problem-solving.

The finer distinctions within each representational system, such as brightness, size, or clarity in the visual system, or tone and volume in the auditory system.

The literal words or expressions a person uses, which may not fully represent their deeper thoughts or experiences (deep structure).

A condition where two or more representational systems overlap, such as “seeing” sounds or “feeling” colors.

A language pattern where the structure of a sentence allows multiple interpretations, creating flexibility in meaning.

One of the perceptual positions, where a person imagines observing a situation from an objective, detached perspective.

A representation of how individuals unconsciously organize their perception of past, present, and future events.

A therapeutic process in NLP designed to help individuals release negative emotions, limiting beliefs, and reframe experiences using their time line.

A state of focused attention or altered consciousness, often used in hypnosis or deep learning processes in NLP.

The part of the mind that operates below conscious awareness, influencing thoughts, behaviors, and responses.

The deeper part of the mind responsible for automatic functions, habits, and storing memories and emotions.

Words such as “always,” “never,” and “everyone,” which generalize experiences or concepts to an absolute level.

A state of heightened external awareness, often used in NLP for sensory acuity and observing others effectively.

Core beliefs and principles that guide behavior and decision-making, forming the foundation of personal identity.

The sensory system responsible for balance and spatial orientation, influencing physical movement and coordination.

Relating to the sense of sight or mental imagery.

An NLP technique used to resolve internal conflict by integrating opposing parts into a cohesive whole.

The criteria that make a goal or outcome clear, specific, achievable, and aligned with one’s values.