The map is not the territory

 

In 1933 Alfred Korzybski, a Polish Count and mathematician, published ‘Science and Sanity’ a thesis that discussed how we experience the world through our senses and use this external datum to build internal representations of the world within our brain. The thesis used the term ‘The Map Is Not the Territory’ to explain how the real world and the internalised perception are different.

"A map is not the territory it represents, but if correct, it has a similar structure to the territory, which accounts for its usefulness". What this means is that our perception of reality is not reality itself but our own version of it, or our "map".

Alfred Korzybski

Anyone that has used a road map as a navigational aid can tell you that the map offers an incomplete picture of the sights and sounds encountered on a journey. The map is not the territory.

When Korzybski wrote 'A map is not the territory it represents' he wasn't referring to simple road maps, rather, he was addressing how we all maintain our own individual map of reality and how that map affects the words we use to communicate our thoughts with one another.

We are all in a state of ever flux (constant change and growth)

Our values and beliefs are in constant flux, updated in real time by a constant and sometimes chaotic flow of new information and data. This information is then filtered and distorted into manageable maps that make sense in the context of our individual experiences. From the traumatic events of Nine Eleven or the wonderful experience of becoming a parent for the first time, it seems our beliefs and values are built on sand.

We experience the world through our five senses, sight, hearing, touch smell and taste (the territory) and build an internal representation of this external input in our brain (the map). In the process of building the map we filter information based on our values, beliefs, memories, culture and social background.  Furthermore, although we all share a similar neurological structure, each of us is an original ‘one off’ thus no two people will operate from the same map.

This creates an imbalance between external world events and our own maps and also between our maps and those of others.  For example two people who witness the exact same crime may later give entirely different statements to the authorities. This is because both operate from a unique map of the world coloured and shaped by their own internal filters and neurology.

• a map is simply an abstraction of the territory
• our understanding of external events is incomplete
• people can view external events in different ways because they operate from different maps

Understand and respect the map of others

Your map represents your reality or perception of the world and controls the actions you take and the way you communicate with others. If a co-worker, for example, operates from a map that is significantly different to yours it might be difficult to communicate or build rapport with this person. Their map may be causing them to respond according to values, beliefs, etc. which may be at odds to yours.

Taking time to understand another person's map lets you:

• see the world though their eyes
• appreciate their point of view
• relate to them accurately
• communicate with them effectively

Thus when someone’s map does not make immediate sense to you a little understanding and tolerance can go a long way to winning new friends and can often be an enriching experience that expands your own map.

Common Ground

We all work from many inter-connected maps; some we share as groups including:

• Culture
• Religion
• Language

Although these shared map regions allow us to interact with one another to truly communicate and build rapport a with someone a deeper understanding their Values and Beliefs is necessary.

Imposing your map on others

This complex network of maps means that each of us develops a unique and highly personalised perception of the world. It is also forms the thinking behind reality TV shows like Big Brother. By inviting people with openly conflicting maps, Jade Goody -Shilpa Shetty for example, to spend time in close proximity, drama and incident is guaranteed.

The Map Is Not the Territory and other NLP Presuppositions form part of our NLP Practitioner Training Course.