MindMasters

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To Frame 0r Not To Reframe!
Changing a Perspective by Altering Ones Mental Map
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frame is a psychological device that offers a perspective and manipulates
salience in order to influence subsequent judgment.
A frame offers a perspective by managing the viewers alignment in relation to
the issue and inviting the observer to view the topic from a certain perspective. It is
like labelling ground beef as 75% lean rather than 25% fat, or like saying that
someone important is here for two weeks & is here only for two weeks.
A frame manipulates salience and encourages the observer to attend to a feature
of the stimulus within the frame, while disregarding other features of that same stimulus
which lie outside the frame, like referring to someone as generous or intellectual
or athletic emphasizes one particular feature of that person. Perception may then
become organized around the label.
A frame influences subsequent judgment. The frame precedes a persuasive attempt,
and implies a certain organization for the information that follows like asking someone
to paint a picture that would fit within it. A successful psychological frame operates
in precisely this fashion. Information received after the frame is delivered may be
organized and resized to fit within the parameters established by the frame.
Frames in NLP provide a focus or guidance for our thoughts and activities, a
context for exploring other possibilities or a common understanding. Often we use
too narrow a frame (or focus) and lock ourselves into behaviours that do not
support us or miss opportunities/possibilities.
A frame not only contains, but also constrains. A man who thought he was dead
and when shown that he bleeds said Oh even dead people bleed!! Frames refer
to the mental structures or templates that we use to understand something, they
become our frame of reference. Frames are concepts, are ideas or mental frames.
With them, we register meaning (semantics) in our neurology. This turns mere
ideas into programs, become felt, embodied in our muscles and become our way of
being in the world, our operative system.
Much of what NLP deals with the concerned change- particularly changing
perceptions (the way you think about things or the way you see things). Frames
form part of the system of filters through which we represent things internally. The
A
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frame you set, consciously or unconsciously, reflects the way you perceive something,
or the way you look at it.
Think about anything and we automatically, quickly, and unthinkingly set it in
some frame. By framing, we establish the classes and categories by which we then
think. Without such framing, we would not know how to even think about something.
We frame by defining, associating, remembering, and using various reference points.
When it comes to frames of reference, whoever sets the frame controls the subsequent
experience. Theres that much magic in frames. Frames have that much influence
in our lives over our perceptions, creativity, and ability to operate at peak performance
in our businesses. We might even paraphrase the old proverb, As a person frames, so
he or she is. A very powerful and profound aspect of frames is namely, their invisibility.
Their very invisibility, in fact, gives them their power.
Because the way we frame thingsthat is, the frames that we put around events,
words, gestures, people, memories, imaginations, etc determine what that thing
meansand therefore how we perceive it, feel about it, and respond to it. If therefore
we have any response, feeling, internal conflict, self-sabotage, etc., then it is a function
of our frames.
Frames are the mental stuff that governs, informs, elicits, and creates our states. Our
mind-body states of awareness result from our frames. What frame do you have about
food or exercise? That frame as your internal representations puts you into a state.
NLP is an attitude. We have been discovering just how crucial Attitude is in making
the patterns work; especially making them work for us. Attitude is everything inasmuch
as attitude describes our Frame of Mind... and so our Frames of Meaning and Reference.
Types of frames
Outcome Frame
An outcome frame provides a focus for what you want to achieve, the ensuing
effects and the resources required to achieve it. You should set an outcome for all
of your activities.
Organizations are notorious for having meetings all the time. Often people have a
meeting without really an outcome in mind and as a result, a number of people
meet for one or two hours or maybe a half day and when they exit the meeting
often they are not clear on what has been decided, what is expected of them, etc.
Clearly defined outcomes provide you with a context for making decisions and
assessing your behaviours.
MindMasters
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An outcome frame is the opposite of a problem frame. A problem frame is
focused on what is wrong or needs to be fixed rather than what is sought after.
Ecology Frame
A person, who pursues his outcome without regard for the impact on other
systems (e.g., body systems, family, work environment, community), has not taken
into account the ecology frame. For an outcome that you have at work, what is
the effect on your co-workers and can you mitigate any negative effects? Is the
outcome that you have for your house compatible with the needs/expectations of
your neighbours/community? Is your outcome congruent with other outcomes that
you have or plan to set?
Evidence Frame
How will you know when you have achieved your outcome? What will you see,
hear, feel or experience?
The evidence frame is used as a gauge to assess how well you are progressing
towards your outcome and to know when your outcome has been achieved. As a
result you will know if corrective action should be taken or if a new or modified
outcome should be set.
As if Frame
This frame has many applications and is based on acting as if a desired state or
outcome has been achieved or as if someone else is giving you information: For
an outcome, act as if you have already achieved your outcome. Live your dreams
now and allow reality to catch up!
When negotiating or problem solving, you can explore other possibilities by
saying, Lets proceed as if I agree to this demand or take your proposed course of
action. What would you do for me, or what would happen as a result?
For project planning, you may wish act as if the project has been successfully
completed and then ask what steps were necessary to reach this outcome. This
approach may highlight some important information that is not obvious when
planning from the present.
Backtrack Frame
Used to check agreement during and at the conclusion of a meeting, to update a
new arrival or to restart a discussion. Backtracking is accomplished by reviewing
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the available information using the keywords and tonality of those who brought
the information forward.
We all filter information differently and may come to significantly different
conclusions. Backtracking is a way to ensure everyone has the same understanding
of what was discussed and decided and helps to maintain a course towards the
desired outcome.
Just as a picture frame puts borders or boundaries on what you can see in a picture,
the frames of reference that you choose as a result of your beliefs about yourself and
others, your perceived role in life, your perceived limitations in skills/abilities, etc.
can limit what you see as possible or can open up all sorts of possibilities.
You (and if you allow them, others) are continually setting timeframes, boundaries,
limits, etc. on what you can and cant do - often without any real thought about
the consequences or if the limitations are true.
Reframing
Reality takes on meaning by how we frame it. What you see at any given time depends
not only on whats there but also on what you choose to see. We put frames on
pictures; we also put frames on words. How you say something is often just as important
as what youre saying. The frame can be your tone of voice, gestures, body language,
or the particular words you use.
Changing the frame of an experience can have a major influence on how you
perceive, interpret and react to that experience. Changing the frame of reference
where content is put in another context is called reframing in NLP. The purpose of
reframing is to help a person experience their actions, the impact of their beliefs,
etc. from a different perspective (frame) and potentially be more resourceful or
have more choice in how they react.
Frames are like labels. Whats the difference between a used car and a previously
owned car? My problems werent problems any more. They became challenges.
Reframing is an NLP concept, which, simply put, means placing a content into
another context, so that it may have a completely different meaning. A typical
example of this is that this glass of water is half empty can be reframed as this
glass of water is half full, without changing the real situation in any way. We reframe
when we shift how we think about something and use a different reference structure.
Then we put a piece of experience or information into a different classification or
category. We look at it from a different perspective. This initiates creativity as we put
a new spin on it
MindMasters
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Your frame of reference differs and so does the meaning. Changing the frame means
changing the meaning. And changing the meaning means changing the effect of a
communication, behaviour or event.
You can use Reframing in all sorts of situations. You may find it difficult to change
another persons behaviour, or indeed your own. But you can always change the way
you think or the way you see things -even if just a bit at a time. Reframing changes
the way you feel and therefore what you do. E.g.;
Spontaneous - Unpredictable
Funny - Childish
Confident - Arrogant
This is verbal one-word reframing, a simple device you can use to find the silver
lining in someone elses problem and help with a new approach. How can this
problem be framed in another way? How can it become an opportunity? How can
this problem be taking care of you in a positive way? When youve found the reframe,
feed it back. The problem becomes an opportunity.
Reframing is a new way of seeing or experiencing something by changing the frame
around it. Instead of trying to solve the problem, we redefine it. Instead of changing
the response and getting a new response to the old stimulus we leave the response as
it is and simply change the meaning of the problem.
We dont change the behaviour, as we did by interrupting the stimulus response
connection and replacing it with a new response. That kind of problem solving is
called first-order change: new behavior replaces the old, and the original problem
is solved. (If you have a headache, you take a painkiller to get rid of it.)
Reframing is second order change. Here, we dont change the response; we change
the meaning of the problem. Its not problem solving in the old sense anymore; were
looking for the root of the problem, taking the symptom (or the behavior or the
response) simply as a sign or indication of the process it represents. With reframing,
we change the meaning of the problem (the headache). We use it as a way of
communicating with a part of our unconscious self, so that we can acknowledge this
part and bring it into consciousness. We ask: What is the headache trying to do for
me? What is the positive intention of the headache? Trying to get you to rest, relax,
slow down, take care of yourself.
Thats the positive intention, whether its taking effect or not. But now the headache
isnt simply a problem to get rid of. You understand the headache in relation to yourself,
your work, your lifestyle- and the headaches meaning becomes a message about
taking better care of yourself.
MindMasters
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Reframes can affect the context of the situation. For instance, you can change the
place or time. Just think of another con-text in which the behaviour might seem
positive or useful, or where the behaviour would appear in a different light. Or you
can change the essence or actual content of the situation. For instance, you can
change the behaviour or circumstances, or simply give something a different meaning.
Most humor involves some sort of reframe. The punch line of a joke instantly changes
the meaning and the emotion that goes with it.
Content and Context Reframes; In NLP, there are two basic forms of reframes -
content (or meaning) and a context reframes.
Content Reframe:
The content or meaning of a situation is determined by what you choose to focus
on. A content reframe is useful for statements such as: I get annoyed when my
boss stands behind me while I am working. Notice how the person has taken the
situation and given it a specific meaning which may or may not be true - and in
so doing limits her resourcefulness and possible courses of action. To reframe this
situation, remember the NLP presupposition Every behaviour has a positive
intention and ask questions such as:
What other meaning could the boss behaviour have? Or for what purpose does
he do it? A possible reframe might be: Is it possible he wants to help and does not
know how to offer his assistance in any other way?
What is the positive value in this behaviour? The positive value could be related
to the boss behaviour (as above) or it could be related to the speakers behaviour.
A possible reframe might be: Isnt it great that you know your boundaries and are
not prepared to allow someone to violate them?
If you are experiencing a physical problem (including phobias and allergies), you
may ask yourself, Is this problem useful to me in some way? Is there some other
way that I can get this same result without having to have the physical problem?
Context Reframe:
Almost all behaviours are useful or appropriate in some context. Interrupting a
speaker by standing up and offering your view in the middle of her lecture may be
judged as inappropriate. To do this same behaviour at the end of the presentation
in order to provide a different perspective may be welcomed by all present.
A context reframe is useful for statements such as: I am too pushy. or I wish I did
not focus on what could go wrong. In this type of situation, your client has
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assumed that this type of behaviour has no value. You job is to discover when it is
of value by asking yourself the question When or where would this behaviour be
useful or viewed as a resource? A possible reframe might be: Isnt that a great skill
to have when you need to get things done or to avoid potential problems? Once
you have your client more resourceful, you can then assist him to discover
behaviours that may be more appropriate in other situations.
When presenting a reframe to another person: Make sure you have rapport and
their permission to offer it. If you present the reframe in the form of a question or a
metaphor (story), it will most likely be more fully considered by your client than if
you present it as a statement of fact. An unexpected change of content or context
turns the meaning on its head, and the resulting surprise and unfamiliarity creates
humour.
Since we can only ever experience a filtered version of reality and we unconsciously
distort things all the time, changing the meaning, whether through the context or
content, means changing the way you react and behave.
Taking another perspective can instantly change how you feel, thus indirectly
affecting your behaviour and outcomes. Reframing therefore offers a low-effort route
to results. Get into the habit of asking: What could this mean?, In what circumstances
would this appear different? or In what context might this behaviour seem positive
and useful? Several reframes may quickly come to mind. The frame you adopt
determines your state, because it determines your perception.
Our brains have to give meaning to things; they cannot bear to leave anything
unexplained. So we put everything into a mental pigeonhole. Unfortunately we
often file things instinctively in the most obvious, comfortable or convenient frame,
rather than representing them realistically or rationally. This tends to happen quickly
and sometimes unconsciously, making you feel strongly about something without
knowing why.
Reframing, in effect, re-files experience to better reflect present reality, or your
choices as to possible reality. You can always choose to reframe. You have the choice
of thinking differently. Using reframing techniques, you can begin to choose your
state of mind.
In reframing you choose what an event means to you. When things go wrong you
search for what is good about the situation and give that most attention. You look for
how you can use the situation rather than be a victim of it! Its as simple as that.
At all stages in life we have choice in how we are affected by events. Its not the
event itself that affects us emotionally. What affects us is how we respond to the
MindMasters
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Phone: (0471) 2318148
Email: nebu@vsnl.com
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event. Reframing is the art actively choosing our response. It means we do not engage
in regretting or resenting.
We all frame and reframe because this describes how we think, represent information,
use language, and create meaning. Initially, we frame because our minds do the work
that minds do (i.e. process information, reason, draw conclusions, etc.) by using
frames-of-reference. Whenever you think, you refer to something and reference other
ideas to make sense of it.
The ability to frame and reframe grows from the awareness that nothing has meaning
in and of itself, but that meaning in the human sense emerges as a mental construct-
a way of thinking about something.
Reframing going on all around us:
Politicians are masters at reframing. It seems no matter what happens, they can put
a positive spin on it for themselves or a negative spin for their opponents. .
Jokes are reframes - you are guided to think in one frame and then the frame
(meaning or context) changes. How many psychologists does it take to change a
light bulb? Answer: Only one and the light bulb must want to change! Fairy tales
often use reframes to help children see different perspectives or consequences -
crying wolf. An excuse is a reframe that attributes a different meaning or context
to your behaviours.
Respect and understand your frame, respect the other persons world which is
influenced by their frame. The outer world is influenced by the inner frame and so
by changing the inner frame we can easily change the perception of the outer
world and mage to our advantage to get what we want.
So enjoys playing with frames and reframing!!!