The Map is Not the Territory

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In NLP (neurolinguistic programming) one of foundational presuppositions is the map is not the territory.  When applied to ourselves, this means that our perception of the world (our map) is not reality (the territory).

Our mental maps are only approximations of reality just as a 2D map is only an approximation of the 3D world.  Consider a world map.  We can easily notice the limitations that are inherent to the structure.  Comparing, for example, Antarctica on a map to the same continent on a globe, we clearly witness distortion in the shape.  We also notice that while some maps are more detailed than others, they all leave out information.

Just as all maps of the world are limited by being two-dimensional, so are all mental maps limited by existing in the mind.  At best, we can only approximate reality through our mental maps - they are not 100% accurate even though people often like to act like they are.

What is Our Mental Map

Our map consists of a group of logical abstractions about the world.  These logical abstractions form the basis upon which we behave in the world.  It tells us how the world works, what our identity is and what is possible and impossible.  Some elements of our map include:

1.       Cause-effect Relationships - These tell us that if we do X, then Y will happen.  If I drop something, it will fall due to gravity.

2.       Values - What is important to us and what isn't important to us.  For example, one person may find learning to be the most important while money and wealth might be important to another.

3.        Beliefs - This includes beliefs about ourselves such as I am smart or I am dumb.  This also entails beliefs about the world.  For example, people are generally kind and friendly.

Our map acts as a lens that filters our perception of reality.  External events enter the lens and based on our perception, we each have a uniquely individual experience.  A different lens produces a vastly different experience.   Two people each might have a failed business.  For one person, the experience is a learning opportunity that will help them in their future endeavours.  For the other person, the experience is proof positive that they are complete failure.  Our maps determine the meaning we give external events and it is that meaning that creates the experience.

How We Create Our Maps

1.       Social Conditioning - Throughout a given culture, most maps will invariably be quite similar.  Growing up, we construct our mental maps by modeling the maps of other people, especially our parents, teachers and friends.  Combining this modelling with the influences of popular culture, we get a large portion of our map.

2.       Reference Experiences - Our experiences give us evidence or references from which we can abstract general principles.  Particularly important events, such as those involving intense emotions, influence how our map is formed.

3.       Knowledge - As we gain new information, we begin to fill in holes in our mental maps.  When this information fits in with our existing maps, it is usually integrated quickly.  When there is conflicting knowledge, either the conflict needs to be resolved or the new information is regarded as being false.

4.       Conscious Creation - This is a rare way to develop a map of reality.  Typically, this is will only occur for people who live highly consciously and are committed to personal growth.  This entails evaluating your map of reality and adjusting it as necessary to produce the results you desire in your life.

Three Ways We Model Reality through Our Maps

We can distinguish three mental processes we utilize to model reality: distortion, deletion, and generalization.

1.       Distortion - We emphasize a certain part of our experience while deemphasizing other parts.  We've all had the experience of being in a crowded public area and being able to spot a person whom we know with only a glance.

2.       Deletion - We ignore certain parts of reality.  For example, in that same crowd, we do not notice the majority of people.  Were we to run into the same person at a later time, we would not remember seeing that person in the crowd.

3.       Generalization - We form general principles by abstracting from specific instances.  We have all opened many doors in our lives and have an understanding of how door knobs work.  When we see a new door we have never opened before, we easily and naturally open it like any other.

The Foundation of Growth

Growth occurs when we make changes to our mental maps.  The foundation of growth is consciously choosing to update our maps.  We may make these changes to our maps through:

1.       New Knowledge - Knowledge adds greater detail to our maps which provides greater flexibility for our behaviour.  A person who studies investing can gain behavioural flexibility in the area of their finances.

2.       New Experiences - Experiences, especially those that violate our current generalizations, force us to update our maps.  For example, going skydiving may have the effect of eliminating any remaining fear of heights a person may have.

3.       Re-interpreting Past Experiences Using a Different Lens - By viewing a past experience through a different perspective, we can give it new meaning and thereby change our mental maps.  Looking back at an old experience we considered a failure and reframing it as a learning opportunity will change how to view future possibilities of failure,

4.       Becoming Aware of Unconscious Elements of Our Maps - As we gain insight and awareness into our map of reality, we are offered the opportunity to re-evaluate.  We can judge our map based on its usefulness and make the changes that create a more empowering map.