It is essentially a way of playing with the communication in order to "...introduce progressively an element of confusion into the question of what is meant, thereby leading to an inhibition of responses called for but not allowed to be manifested and hence to an accumulating need to respond." (Haley, 1967, p. 156)

The confusion technique is primarily a hypnotic technique to bypass the critical mind. Since the critical/logical mind cannot respond, the paraconscious tends to take over, building up a strong potential to respond. This technique was further developed by Grinder and Bandler in their lecturing style during the mid and late 1970's. It was then picked up and refined as a "double-induction" of hypnosis by Drs. Steve Gilligan and Paul Carter in their seminars on Ericksonian hypnosis.

Paraliminal learning sessions, by the nature of their dual-voice effect, create the Ericksonian phenomenon. The resulting positive effects are best achieved when the session is listened to from start to finish. This allows for the progressive introduction of confusion. One of the key reasons why listeners are instructed to create a "special time" for listening to the session in its entirety is to enhance this effect.

• Pacing

NLP "Pacing" techniques are another way that the delivery of the message is enhanced. Pacing is a technique of matching vocal patterns to physiological experiences of the listener (Laborde, 1984). For example, the listener's breathing rhythms can be paced by the rhythm of the word phrases on the CD. Another example is to comment on tunnel vision occurring as a person is asked to gaze at one spot on the wall. The effect is the development of profound levels of unconscious rapport (Grinder & Bandler, 1981).

• Other Techniques

Another NLP technique used in the delivery of messages includes tonal marking or anchoring. This is the process of assigning a nonverbal stimulus to a specific subjective experiences. Psychologists as far back as Pavlov in the 1800's understood this as stimulus-response conditioning.

Another technique is to specify all sensory systems -- visual, auditory and kinesthetic -- when guiding the imagery of the listener. The resulting "Full Sensory Imagery", is superior to single sensory imaging in its impact on the listener's experience (Klinger, 1981).

Summary

The Paraliminal learning sessions rely on the remarkable power and effectiveness of the NLP technology in their script designs and studio recordings. With NLP, the Paraliminal technology capitalizes on the opportunity for truly multi-level communication, using both hemispheres of the brain and tapping the unconscious reserves of mind.

Conclusion

"Human beings possess capabilities of mind, literally beyond genius." -- Dr. Barbara Brown, physiologist, developer of biofeedback.

"We are only now on the threshold of knowing the range of educability of man." -- Dr. Jerome Bruner, Harvard University.

Findings in the literature on human development, learning and therapeutic change, point to a new age of personal and professional growth. Because of decades of pioneering efforts on all fronts, new vistas are being realized that seemed unattainable a few short years ago.

The commercial educational market is currently a multi-billion dollar industry. Innovators in learning and human development technologies are needed. The challenge is to create brain-compatible learning methods that are cost effective, enjoyable to use, and achieve the necessary results. Learning Strategies Corporation has introduced one such innovation with the Paraliminal technology of audio CD learning.

When someone approaches a learning situation, as purchasers of audio CDs do, they come with a two-sided mind. As Williams (1983) puts it, "We must encourage them to use it, to develop both types of thinking so that they have access to the fullest range of possible mental abilities." (p. 190). The Paraliminal learning sessions are the only commercially available audio CD to do this.

Paraliminal learning sessions apply the new theories and principles recently discovered to improve the human condition. As research continues, greater understanding of the mechanisms of learning and change will undoubtedly be revealed. Then, what potential can be reached by human beings?

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