The Meta Model

The Meta Model?

Richard Bandler et al developed the meta model by observing the linguistic patterns of Virginia Satir, who was well known for her ability to help her clients quickly make profound changes.  The meta model is a linguistic pattern of gaining specificity in language to expose distortions, generalizations and deletions and to challenge basic assumptions in our model of the world.  The meta model has applications in coaching, therapy, education and debate, among other areas.  The meta model can also be used to gain specificity to snap someone out of trance.

Some examples of the use of the Meta Model:

1. Deletion:
   1. Statement:  He makes me so happy.
   2. Response: Happy in what way?
2. Distortion:
   1. Statement: It’s wrong to eat too much.
   2. Response: Wrong according to whom?  In what way is it wrong?
3. Deletion
   1. Statement: I regret my decision
   2. Response: In what way do you regret your decision.  Or which decision do you  regret?
4. Generalization
   1. Statement: Nobody ever pays any attention to me.
   2. Response: Nobody? Never?
5. Deletion
   1. Statement: Sue loves me.
   2. Response:  How do you know that Sue loves you?
6. Deletion
   1. Statement: Susan hurt me.
   2. Response: How did Susan hurt me?
7. Deletion
   1. Statement: I’m angry.
   2. Response: Angry at whom? For what reason?
8. Distortion and deletion
   1. Statement: I should study harder.
   2. Response: Who says that you should study harder? Harder than whom?

For more information on how the meta model can help you in your field, contact William Wood CHt at 385-432-0729 or [email protected].  Visit me at www.northernutahhypnosis.com