Perceptual Filters:
Your Unique Perception of Reality

The basic concept is that individuals use perceptual filters to interpret phenomena on a day-to-day basis. According to Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) practitioners, there are up to sixty different such filters; however, most agree there is a set of 4-12 primary filters. Because NLP is not sufficiently scientifically based, there is insufficient research supporting the validity of most of these traits, aside from the Myers-Briggs set.

Yet personal experience indicates that these filters do represent contrasting strategies people use. Eventually I intend to address the validity and reliability of assessments designed to evaluate perceptual filters, but in the meantime, will work with what NLP gives us. Note that NLP defines these perceptual filters as meta programs.

The Myers-Briggs Set

Most NLP users agree that the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) provides a core set of meta programs. These are included here because, of all the perceptual filters, these are the most well-researched and documented on a scientific basis in psychology.

Many describe the MBTI as a personality test; I do not, by preference. I consider personality to be a collection of unique primary behavior modes (such as being enthusiastic or a being perfectionistic). The MBTI scale provides specific information on strictly opposing traits, such as a thinker vs a feeler.

Hence, Meta programs are structured as "having more of this trait" juxtaposed against having less of that trait" and are associated with preferential perceptions of reality. Nevertheless, such perceptions can lead to clusters of behaviors that psychologists describe as personality, so perceptual filters and personality are indeed closely linked.

It's important to point out that people may be strongly preferential one way or the other (polarized) or have a balanced perspective in a given meta program. Some NLP experts claim that meta programs can be shifted easily, others that they are hard wired preferentially and are difficult to change. I tend to hold with the latter. For an interesting take on meta programs and changing them, read this article on perceptual filters by J.D. Hoag.

(Note that most psychologists agree that the concept of personality is so broad that it can only be defined in the context of a chosen theoretical framework, of which there are many! See my article on personality for the framework I have chosen to work with.)

Here are the four primary MBTI filters:

Introvert vs. Extrovert: preferring aloneness (to recoup) vs. togetherness.

Sensor vs. Intuitor: preferring facts/information vs. gut-feeling/knowing.

Thinker vs. Feeler: decisions based on thought vs. emotion.

Judger vs. Perceiver: preferring assessment vs. ambiguity.

The NLP Generated Set

NLP practitioners have created a variety of meta programs based on their experiences, teaching and learning. Unfortunately, most of these perceptual filters are not as well researched nor scientifically validated; nevertheless, they do have intuitive appeal. I've selected 8 meta programs I am familiar with based on my certification as an NLP practitioner in 2003:

Self vs. Other: tendency to look after self rather than other individuals.

Optimist vs. Pessimist: tendency of best-case vs. worst-case thinking.

Toward vs. Away: moving to what is wanted vs. away from what they don't want.

Chunk Up vs. Chunk Down: big picture vs. detailed picture approach.

In-Time vs. Through-Time: punctual vs. completing current experience.

Same vs. Different: attention focused on sameness or what's different.

Past/Present/Future: perceptual orientation biased in 2 of the 3 time references.

People/Places-Things: objects chosen based on experiences rather than people.

Assessing Meta Programs / Perceptual Filters

For a fun free test associated with the MBTI (a simulated MBTI called the Mental Muscle Diagram Indicator, or MMDI), try out the following URL. They have good links explaining the various meta-program results in clusters akin to personality measures:

http://www.teamtechnology.co.uk/mmdi-re/mmdi-re.htm

If you want the real thing and want to pay for your MBTI, go here:

http://www.discoveryourpersonality.com/

For self analysis of some of the NLP generated meta-programs, you can use the below URL to gain some insight. Note that the first part of the test uses single questions to identify MBTI preferences. The second set of 19 questions is about so-called "complex meta programs." These aren't complex, but they aren't well-researched (calling something complex justifies it's mysterious origins...).

http://www.hypnosis-and-health.com/personality-test.html

Anyway, in order to correlate with the 8 meta programs I selected above, answer questions 1, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16. Note that this survey does not cover two filters: optimist vs. pessimist and past/present/future meta programming styles. You probably already know whether you are optimistic or pessimistic.

Past/Present/Future orientation is relatively easy to self-assess. Consider the following statements and see how they apply to you:

1. I often think about past experiences and tell people about them, using past experiences to handle situations. ("I handled this last time by....")

2. I often have my mind on what's going on in front of me and am not distracted by wandering thoughts or anxieties. ("Let's pay attention to this and stop worrying about what's going on later tonight...")

3. I like to plan in advance, it's fun and I am good at it. ("Let's go to the game next Saturday and Sunday we'll have a picnic...").

Which applies to you more? Statement 1 might be from a past-oriented person, statement 2 a present-oriented person, and statement 3 a future oriented person. Typically one of these three statements does not appeal to you at all, and that means you lean preferentially toward the other two.

For example, I hardly ever use anecdotes from the past when resolving problems or talking to someone, and sometimes get annoyed at people who do, or who insist on knowing things about my past. To me, the past is murky. I am definitely a present and future oriented person.

Do let me know how you have found the usefulness of the suggested tests by contacting me and letting me know your results, if you like. I look forward to hearing from you.

If you would are ready to consider a full learning solution evaluation based on the results of:

1) your learning style assessment;
2) your perceptual filter assessment;
3) your RHETI assessment;
4) your evaluation of career options;

then go ahead and proceed to the learning solution page of RLDE.

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Perceptual Filters:Your Unique Perception of Reality

The Myers-Briggs Set

The NLP Generated Set

Perceptual Filters:
Your Unique Perception of Reality