Unspecific verbs sound good yet are hard to pin down. They are similar to the unspecific objects in the Milton Model. The unconscious mind accepts the word in context and supplies its own meaning. Words such as ‘wonder, change, understand, think, feel’ etc., are non-specific and can apply to anything. ‘and you may be wondering about […]
Category: Communications
Unspecific Objects
Unspecific Objects are words that sound important but are actually quite vague and open to interpretation. Milton Model words such as ‘learnings, outcomes, resources, findings, consideration’ etc., can be used to ground almost any topic, which makes the suggestion much stronger. By using inclusive words the client finds closure from their own resources. If you […]
Information Asymmetry
In contract theory and economics, information asymmetry deals with the study of decisions in transactions where one party has more or better information than the other. In contrast to neo-classical economics which assumes perfect information, this is about “What We Don’t Know”. This creates an imbalance of power in transactions which can sometimes cause the transactions […]
Conversational Postulates
Conversational Postulates are requests for action or information masquerading as yes or no questions. It is a question which, on the face of it, requires a Yes or No answer, but which is really demanding a specific behavior. ‘Could you pass me the cream?’ is a request for action, not an inquiry about ability. ‘Do you […]
Mind Reading
Mind Reading occurs when someone assumes they know what another person is thinking or feeling without direct evidence. Mind Reading can be recognized when someone claims to know something without obvious evidence, claims to know how another person feels, or claims to understand another person’s internal state without explanation. It is the assumptions that are made about […]
Nominalization Chaining
Nominalization Chaining is when several nominalizations are used or chained together as though what is being said is a real and understood concept.
Nominalizations
Nominalizations occur when a verb or adjective is used as a noun although not a real and tangible object. This can include such words as accuracy, superiority, excellence, and destiny. “People can come to new understandings.” In this example ‘understandings’ is used as a noun and to describe the on-going experience of ‘understanding’ or ‘making […]
Distortions
Distortions is the manipulation of the meaning of real events resulting in a false conclusion that is based on a persons actual sensory information. Coincidences in events can lead some people to create distortions of reality. In language, a distortion can be expressed in such examples as “A black car followed me all the way […]
Lack of Referential Index
Lack of Referential Index is a type of language “deletion” where there is an unspecified group of people or an unknown “they” in the statement, such as “everyone knows you like to eat ice cream” or “they said you were too busy to go”.
Modal Operators
Modal Operators is when language implies a “must” when there is no requirement for one. Using Modal Operators limits options and remove choices, such as “I must win this competition”, “you must buy this jacket or you will be cold” or “You must resolve this issue.” Modal Operators imply things could happen or must happen. Common Milton […]