A Pragmatic Guide To Communication & Change.pdf - NLP Info Centre

This ability to operate in systems other than the preferred system is true for all of the
communication categories.
Figure 2 - 1
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other categories. When operating from this modality, people tend to breathe into the
lower portion of the lungs. The tonality of a "kino" might be generalized as having soft or
airy qualities with a slower tempo and lower tone and volume than the other categories.
Figure 2 - 2 illustrates this category.
Body: Brief Analysis
If you think in terms of the aspect of experience the habitual "kino" or "visual" is
paying attention to, the structure of their bodies begins to make sense. When
operating from the visual modality, a person becomes dissociated or disconnected
from bodily experiences. This is because it is primarily the visual portions of the
environment that command his attention. Physical demands such as hunger (or
fullness!) often go unnoticed, and, though habitual "visuals" tend to be slimmer
than people whose preferred system is kinesthetic, they can also become obese.
Unlike the "visuals," habitual
"Kinos"
Think of the image evoked by Santa Claus. He is always depicted as a soft and rather
round man with rosy cheeks and a flowing white beard. When he laughs, his whole belly
jiggles, and the feelings he elicits are warm and happy.
The figure of Santa is an appropriate example of a "kino." The habitual "kino" generally
has more flesh on his body than individuals from the other categories, although they tend
not to be obese. When communicating from this modality, individuals will often
demonstrate a rounding of the shoulders, and they sometimes bend slightly forward as
they speak and listen. Their motions tend to be flowing and loose; how else would Santa
get down the chimney! Habitual "kinos" often have a larger rib extension compared to the
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It is important to keep in mind throughout this book the warning previously issued. This
model and the labels associated with it are only generalizations about people. They delete
a great deal of information; this is a part of how they are supposed to function. They can
make it easier for us to perceive, understand, and predict behavior. However, as
mentioned in a popular text on psychology, "Labels intended to be merely descriptive
may also come to be regarded as explanations of the problem."' 2 They should never be
used in a way which might interfere with either our perceptions of or our hehnuiors
toward those we have labeled. The examples in the sections which follow are intended to
simplify the task of detecting behavioral patterns. Ilowever, remember that it is always
best to use your own observations when a model doesn't tit.
The Communication Categories Model Outline
The following list represents the specific areas of behavior covered by the
communication categories model. These behaviors are different for each of the
four systems and are described in detail in the text. A complete chart with specific
behaviors listed under the "visual," "kino," "tonal," and "digital" systems is
presented in Appendix C.
1. Predicates which presuppose a representational system (preferred system).
2. Postural characteristics.