NLP → NLP Lexicon

Sub-properties / qualitative features of a representation system / submodalities (Submodalities)

Definition

Subproperties (engl. Submodalities) refer to the fine, qualitative differences within the five sensory modalities (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, gustatory). They determine, how how an experience is internally represented – for example, through brightness, volume, temperature, or movement. These fine sensory parameters shape how intensely and in what way a person experiences a memory, image, or emotion. Changes in these submodalities can immediately influence emotional experiences.

Examples

• Visual: Brightness, size, sharpness, color, movement.
• Auditory: Volume, pitch, tempo, rhythm, direction.
• Kinesthetic: Temperature, pressure, texture, movement, intensity.

Origin and Theoretical Background

The concept of submodalities was developed by Richard Bandler composure John Grinder and is based on the idea that every perception consists of changeable sensory dimensions. This assumption is influenced by the Cognitive psychology and Cybernetics, particularly by Gregory Bateson, who described perception as a dynamic interplay of sensory impressions and meaning assignments. Bandler recognized that differences in subjective experience – e.g., whether an inner image is bright or dark – directly determine the emotional impact. Thus, submodalities became a central tool of Change work in NLP.

Application Examples

• Changing inner states:
  A client imagines a threatening image that appears large and close. When he visualizes it smaller and further away, the emotional intensity decreases significantly.
• Swish technique:
  The unwanted image is made smaller and darker, while the desired target image appears brighter and larger – a quick switch (“Swish”) changes the emotional response.
• Phobia and trauma techniques:
  By deliberately changing the critical submodalities (e.g., distance, color, volume), emotional experiences can be made safer and more neutral.

Areas of Application

• Therapy: Processing fears, phobias, and distressing memories by changing sensory qualities.
• Coaching: Reinforcing positive states and behavior patterns through targeted adjustment of inner representations.
• Communication: Conscious use of inner images or sounds to promote self-confidence and clarity.
• Personal Development: Changing self-perception and emotional response patterns through fine-tuning of submodalities.

Methods and Exercises

1. Intradimensional change:
   Change a submodality on its scale – e.g., make an inner image brighter or darker, move it closer or further away.
2. Synesthesia change:
   Translate a feeling into another modality, e.g., a feeling of pressure in the stomach into a color or shape, and change this symbolic representation.
3. Reprogramming:
   In working with distressing memories, the situation is dissociated (viewed from the outside) and re-integrated with changed submodalities to achieve emotional relief.

Synonyms or Related Terms

• Submodalities
• Qualitative sensory characteristics
• Fine distinctions

Distinction

Submodalities differ from the Modalities themselves. While modalities (VAKOG) refer to the overarching sensory channels, submodalities describe the fine, qualitative parameters within these channels. Example: The visual modality includes seeing, while submodalities like brightness or distance specify the manner of seeing.

Scientific or Practical Benefit

• Individually: Enables conscious control over emotional states through sensory fine-tuning.
• Practically: Foundation of many NLP techniques (e.g., Swish, Fast Phobia Cure, Anchoring).
• Scientifically: Supported by findings from perception psychology, which state that subjective experience is modifiable through qualitative sensory characteristics.

Criticism or Limitations

• Subjectivity: The effect and relevance of submodalities vary greatly between individuals.
• Lack of consensus: In scientific psychology, the concept of submodalities is not widely accepted.

Literature and References

• Bandler, R., & McDonald, W. (1993). An Insider’s Guide to Sub-Modalities. Meta Publications, Capitola.
• Dilts, R. (1990). Changing Belief Systems with NLP. Meta Publications, Capitola.
• Gordon, D. (1995). Therapeutic Metaphors: Helping Others Through the Looking Glass. Meta Publications, Cupertino.
• Andreas, C. & Andreas, S. (1987). Heart of the Mind: Engaging Your Inner Power to Change with NLP. William Morrow and Company, New York.

Metaphor or Analogy

Your inner experience is like a painting:

The Subproperties are the color nuances, lighting conditions, and textures with which you create this painting. When you change a nuance – e.g., brightness or contrast – the entire image changes, and so does your feeling about it. This way, you can deliberately influence your perception and your inner experience.

See also