Representational Systems

Representational Systems are simply the Neuro Linguistic Programming term for our senses

In NLP, we deal with visual V, auditory A, kinesthetic K, and less often, olfactory O (sense of smell) and gustatory G (taste)

Representational systems are therfore referred to as VAKOG or simpky VAK

Representational systems are important in NLP because the we understand the world around us in a sensory way. Also we think our thoughts, i.e. our internal representations

It is useful in many ways to know which representational system our client is accessing at any particular time.

When we are working with a client, we cannot see inside their mind to know what sensory system they are using. We can of course ask them, but sometimes the client is not entirely clear about the contents of their own thoughts! So how do we determine what representational system they are using? There are several methods including:

• Eye accessing cues
• Words our client uses, or Predicates
• Physiology and breathing

Representational Systems and Eye Accessing

NLP shows us that movement of our eyes depends upon which representational system we are using:

• if we look up while thinking, we are probably seeing a picture,
• if we look sideways we are probably hearing a sound,
and
• if we look down we are going inside ourself to feel a feeling or hear self-talk.