The Meta Model is a language model developed by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, the co-founders of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). It is a set of questions and language patterns designed to help people explore and clarify their thinking and communication. As the name implies, the Meta Model is a “meta” (or higher-level) model of language, meaning that it is a model of how language works, as opposed to a model of what language is used for.
The Meta Model is based on the notion that all communication is essentially a behavior-producing request. Our language is an attempt to elicit a response from another person, and that response is the behavior we are attempting to produce. The Meta Model is designed to help people make conscious, intentional choices in their communication by breaking down language into its component pieces and helping them to identify the underlying requests.
The Meta Model consists of three categories of language patterns: Deletions, Distortions, and Generalizations. Deletions refer to omissions of important information in a sentence, such as nouns, verbs, or modifiers. Distortions refer to inaccuracies or distortions of facts, such as exaggeration or oversimplification. Generalizations refer to the use of broad labels or categories, such as “all” or “never”.
The goal of the Meta Model is to help people to become aware of their own language patterns and to make conscious, intentional choices in their communication. It also helps people to recognize and respond to the language patterns of others. By understanding the underlying requests and intentions behind someone’s language, we can better understand and respond to them in more effective ways.
The Meta Model is an integral part of the practice of NLP, and it is used in a variety of contexts, including business, therapy, and education. It is a powerful tool for understanding and improving communication, and it can help us to create more effective, meaningful relationships.