- Reframing is changing the way you perceive an event and so changing the meaning.
- There are two main types of reframing:
- Context Reframing
Context reframing works on comparative generalizations. Make a context reframe by asking, "In what context would this behavior have value?" For example:
"I'm much too stubborn." "I bet that's useful when you need to argue your point in those difficult business meetings."
- Content Reframing
This is used when a person does not like the way they react to an event or class of events. To reframe, think:
"What could this mean?"
"What would I like this to mean?"
"In what frame could this be positive or be a resource?"
Then reframe based on how you answer those questions:
"I feel bad when no one calls me." "You really like to be with
people and they probably really like to be with you."
- Here are some ways to generate reframes for beliefs. They are often called "sleight of mouth patterns":
"Learning reframing is hard."
- Redifine the words.
"You don't have to learn them, you only need to become familiar with them."
- Change the time frame. Evaluate the statement from a different time scale, either much longer or much shorter.
"The quicker you do it, the easier it will seem."
- Explore the consequences of the behavior.
"Unless you try it, you will never know how hard it is or not."
- Change the chunk size.
Chunk up: "Is learning hard in general?"
Chunk downl: "How hard is it to learn just one pattern?"
- Find a counter example.
"Has there ever been a time when you have found learning language patterns easy?"
- Ask for the evidence.
"How do you know that?"
- Re-evaluate the statement from another model of the world.
"Many educators believe that learning is so natural we cannot not learn something if we are exposed to it for long enough."
- Give a metaphor or an analogy to give the person resources.
"That reminds me of my experience learning to play the guitar..."
- Appeal to the positive intention behind the belief.
"I can tell you want to learn these thoroughly."
- Change the context so that the relationship does not apply in the same way.
"How hard it is for you to learn depends on who is teaching."
