In the previous posting of this series “Why build Rapport”, we looked at the second part of “Eye-Movement Patterns”.

This posting will deal with the topic referred to in NLP as Preferred Representational Systems or Styles.

Simply put, which of the three main senses, visual, auditory or kinesthetic, do you prefer to use when you are learning and communicating?

Let me say at the outset, that you may be using any of the three at particular times, but there is one that you have a preference for.

You may prefer to listen to the 4.53 minute AUDIO.

For example, my scores are equal across the board for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, as I have had multiple different professions, read a lot, attended very many seminars, and travelled enormously.

As a result of all these experiences, all three off my main senses are equally developed.

Nevertheless, my preferred one is visual.  This shows up when I am asked questions, and, most of the time, my eyes look upwards.

Each representational style is as important as the other. Not one is more important.

Whether it’s in the workplace, at home or recreationally, society needs all three to function best.

The other two senses, gustatory and olfactory, are not included in this analysis of representational styles.

Apart from visual, auditory, and kinesthetic, we bring in a fourth one, auditory digital, but it is not classified as a preferred style.

Just to recap the process.

After receiving data through your five senses, and taking note of the internal dialogue or self-talk you indulge in, you translate this data into your Internal Representation (IR) of ‘reality’.

As mentioned above, the primary ones are, pictures, sounds, feelings and self-talk.

Your Preferred Representational System is the one you tend to use more than the others to create your Internal Representations (IRs) of your outside world.

Some experiences will obviously be auditory, such as listening to music.

However, visual people will also see a vivid image while listening to the music.

For example, when I listen to music, I will also picture the soloist playing, or the whole Orchestra in full flight, or the conductor’s actions.

Or I will picture a scene that the music is depicting.

 Kinesthetic people will also feel the mood of the piece.

Again, I will use myself as an example.

I am sometimes so deeply moved by the music, that I can get quite emotional with my eyes welling up in tears as a result of the sheer beauty the feeling listening to the music gives me.

So you see.  I can use all three senses when I listen to a piece of music, watch a movie, or read a book.

I know people who, when they enjoy a massage (kinesthetic), actually visualize (visual) the happiness that their internal organs are experiencing as they are being massaged.

In the next couple of postings we will look into greater depth at these Preferred Representational Systems.

There will also be a survey for you to do to find our which one is your Preferred Learning and Communication Style.

In the meantime, be aware of which of the three, visual, auditory and kinesthetic you are making use of in your experiences.

Enjoy the experience.