| Advanced Search |
The Communication Initiative Network
Where communication and media are central to social and economic development
Knowledge SectionsE-magazinesThe CI PartnersClassifiedsAbout Us |
Average Rating: 4.1 out of 5 (30 ratings submitted)
Limiting Beliefs: Challenging and Changing Limiting BeliefsTheory Summaryfrom Peter Labouchere We behave in ways consistent with our beliefs and values. Certain beliefs can restrict our choices and limit our capacity to change the ways we behave. These notes offer a simple, yet powerful technique for challenging and changing such limiting beliefs, adapted from the personal development and behaviour change technology of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming). This technique was highly evaluated following its introduction during the "Journey of Hope" Training of Trainers workshops in Kenya and in Ghana as part of the National ' Stop AIDS Love Life' programme managed by Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs. People express limiting beliefs with statements like: 'I cannot...' , 'I have to...' or 'It is impossible to...'. These leave the speaker no choice or alternative possibilities, and they are therefore disempowering. For example:
You can challenge and help people change their limiting beliefs by responding to such statements with specific types of question, including:
These types of question prompt a line of thinking which moves people from a perception that they have no choice to realising that they do in fact have choices and possibilities for change. A typical exchange might go like this: This sort of intervention is very quick - as soon the other person recognises and acknowledges that there are other possibilities and that they have some element of choice in the matter, their limiting belief has been dislodged. This paves the way to explore newly acknowledged choices (from this example, the conversation could then progress to ways of overcoming embarrassment when talking to your children about sex.) This technique also provides a strategy for challenging gender stereotypes and changing beliefs about gender roles, thereby opening up new choices and possibilities for both women and men. For more information, contact: Placed on the Communication Initiative site November 11 2003 Last Updated November 11 2003 How useful did you find the knowledge and contacts on this page to your work? Post your comments (review comments from others below):COMMENTS POSTED |
Special FocusJobs and more...
Journalist/Reader Connection
What are the best possibilities for journalist-readership connections? (you may choose more than one; please add clarifying comments)
|
Save & Share This Page
Social Bookmarks
quite informative a site, I find it quite indispesable!-oladejo olanrewaju (university of ibadan)
Some limiting beliefs can certainly be overcome in this way. However it is also important to acknowledge that some limiting beliefs are based on limiting realities.
An illustrative exchange might be (one that I have had several times):
Wife: I cannot talk to my husband about using condoms.
Response: What would happen if you did?
Wife: He would accuse me of infidelity, beat me, or kick me and my children out of the house.
It is important to recognize the real constraints faced by people, especially women, in order to avoid victim blaming.
I have a problem with the first statement -"We behave in ways consistent with our beliefs and values." Simply not true, unless we want to say that when we act in ways contrary to our stated values, we did not have the correct values. This approach gives far too much credence and weight to verbals statements about what is possible. It seems too naive to be useful.
thank you. i used some of your definitions and theories for my social change class.
much appreciated.
blessings to you.
Good reminder! We generally behave in ways which are in accord with our attitudes and beliefs, but often the best way to break through the barrier is not verbal, but putting a person into a situation where another kind of behaviour is not only possible, but eminently reasonable.
The well known experiment of 30-odd years ago in relation to race prejudices in the United States is instructive. A well dressed, well spoken Afro-American presented at hotels to take up a phoned room booking. In most cases, hotel owners accepted the guest -- he was outside their mental picture of an Afro-American, on which their race prejudice was based.
It breached the citadel of their prejudice.
this is an excellent information about limiting belief , thankyou very much , i want to get more information about overcoming limiting beliefs , I am also submitting my email address for further communication , my email is sohelazam@hotmail.com