Derren Brown: Archive
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From: ganetauk
Date: Tue Dec 31, 2002 11:33pm
Subject: metamuddle details
The Meta Model
Deletions
1.Simple deletion
Information is missing that makes the statement unclear.
Example: `That is important.' Challenge: Recover the information by
asking open questions. `What exactly is important?'
2.Unspecified referential index
Something has happened, but it is not clear who did it and who was
affected. Example:`Mistakes were made.' Challenge:Recover the
information, who did what to who. `Exactly what mistakes were made
and by whom?'
3.Unspecified verb
Something was done, but exactly how is not clear. Example:`I failed'
Challenge:`Find out exactly how the action was done. `How exactly did
you fail?'
4.Comparison
A comparison is being made but the standard being used is unclear.
Example:`I did that badly.' Challenge:Find out the basis and standard
of the comparison. `Badly compared to what?'
5.Judgment
Something is being judged good or bad, but it is not clear who is
making the judgment and by what standard. Example:`Obviously that is
not good enough.' Challenge:Find out who is making the judgment and
by what standard. `Who says, and by what standard is that not good
enough?'
Generalisations
6.Universals
Words like `always', `never', `everyone' and `no-one `are being used
as if there are no exceptions Example:I am always right.' Challenge:-
Isolate and query the universal. `Always??'- Exaggerate. `Yes you are
always right, you have never ever made a mistake not even when you
were a puking baby.' - Get a counter example `Has there ever been a
time when you made a mistake?'
7.Modal operators of Necessity
Words like, `should', and `shouldn't, `must' and `mustn't' that imply
a necessary rule. Example:`You shouldn't find this hard.' Challenge:-
Challenge the imagined consequences. `What would happen if I did?' -
Challenge the rule. `Why not? I might.' - Apply the `as if'
frame, `Just suppose I did, what then...' Example:`I must do this.'
Challenge:- Challenge the imagined consequences. `What would happen
if you did not?' - Challenge the rule. `Why? Is it really
necessary?' - Apply the `as if' frame, `Just suppose you didn't have
to, what would that be like?'
8.Modal operators of possibility
Words that set rules about what is possible,
like `can', `cannot', `able' and `unable'. Example:`I can't tell
him.' Challenge:- Question the generalised rule and imagined
consequences. `What would happen if you did?' - Question the assumed
impossibility. `What stops you?' - Apply the as if frame. `Just
suppose you could... what would that be like?'
Distortions
9.Complex equivalents
Two statements taken to mean the same, although they are on different
levels. Example:`She's always late, (so) she doesn't care.'
Challenge:- Question the equivalence. `How exactly does her being
late mean that she does not care?'- Give a counterexample. `John was
late, but he is clearly committed isn't he?' - Turn it around. Does
the speaker think it works in reverse? `So do you think someone who
doesn't care is always going to be late?' - Ask if it applies to the
speaker. `If you didn't care, would you be late all the time?'
10.Nominalisation
An abstract noun, a process that has been turned into a noun.
Example:`I am frightened of failure.' Challenge: Turn the noun into
a verb and express the thought as a process. `What are you frightened
of failing to do?'
11.Mind reading
Assuming to know another person's internal state with no evidence.
Example:`He doesn't like me.' Challenge:Ask for evidence. `How do you
know he doesn't like you?' Reverse mind reading Assuming others can
(and should) read your mind and act accordingly. Example:`If you
cared for me you would know what I wanted.' Challenge:Ask how you
were supposed to know. `How would I know? I am not a mind reader.'
12.Cause - effect
Assuming that one person's behaviour automatically causes another
person's emotional state or behaviour. Example:`He makes me feel
ill.' Challenge- Ask exactly how one thing causes the other. `How
exactly do you think he makes you ill?' - Explore the possibility of
choice. `So you feel ill when he is around. How would you like to
feel? Would you like to have a choice about how you feel?' - Assume
the person has made the choice to feel as they do. `Why do you choose
to feel ill when he is around?' Reversed Cause effect Assuming
unwarranted responsibility for other peoples' states and behaviour
Example:`I made him feel bad.' Challenge:- Ask exactly how one thing
causes the other. `How exactly do you think you made him feel bad?' -
Explore the possibility of choice. `So you did what you did. Do you
think he had a choice about how he responded? - Assume the person has
made the choice to feel as they do. `Why do you think he chose to
respond the way he did?'
13.Presupposition
Unwarranted limiting assumption that is implied in the sentence but
nowhere overtly stated, but must be assumed for the statement to make
sense. Example:`Why can't you do anything right?' Challenge:- present
the presupposition directly. `You think I can't do anything right?' -
Present the presupposition and challenge it. `You think I can't do
anything right. I believe I can.' - Accept the presupposition and
challenge the deletions and generalisations. `What makes you think I
can't do anything right?'
