Internal

representations
and behaviors 

Self-reflection
Internal representations
and behaviors 

 Would you like to see the effect that the internal

representations have on your behavior?

 Let’s begin one special exercise…just you and me

and you ….
Internal representations
and behaviors 

 May you remember a truly happy moment

in your life?

 Close your eyes and get a picture of this

event in your mind, bring a sound,
sensations, tastes and smells...
Internal representations
and behaviors 

 Try the full event in your mind;

 Once you've done this, notice if there is

any change in your physiology.
Internal representations
and behaviors 

 Perhaps as a result of these memories

(internal representations), you got a smile
on your face, or sat more erect, or
perhaps breathed deeper…

 I'm sure that your physiology changed in

some way.
Internal representations
and behaviors 

I did not ask you to change

your physiology, did I?
Internal representations
and behaviors 

What this shows is that the images,

sounds, etc…that you do in your
mind, influencing your physiology
and consequently your choice of
words, tone of voice, your use and
the behaviors you manifest !!!
Internal representations
and behaviors

 Now sit more upright, put a smile on your

face and breathe deeply;

 While doing this, feel sad…

Internal representations
and behaviors

 I can bet you can not feel sad without

changing your physiology (shortness of
breath, hunched shoulders, etc.)..

 This illustrates that your physiology affects

your internal representations (feeling sad
or happy).
Conclusion...

Based on previous experience, you filter

the information about the world around
you.

The resulting of internal representations

are how you perceive the world (your
reality) and that guide your behavior,
reinforcing, often, that your perception of
the world is “correct” !!!