Patterns & Metaphors
Art form method
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This technique of leading a conversation is based on the assumption that people perceive reality in a sequence of steps. As an individual enters a new situation the senses initially perceive raw data. This data is related within itself and with conceptual frameworks and with experiences from memory. From these relationships and data the individual interprets the significance for himself, decides the appropriate responses to the situation and acts on those decisions. This process is quite unconscious and occurs extremely quickly.
The art form method follows this same sequence in the structure of the sequence of its questions. There are four levels of conversation; objective, reflective, interpretive and decisional. The first level asks the group to simply state what is perceived, not their opinions about what is perceived but just what is there. Next are questions of reflection; what are associations that can be made. What emotions are related to the data ? What are other experiences that may be related ? Next is the level of interpretation. What is the meaning of the data ? What would you call this experience ? What is a story about the experience ? The final level is that of asking for a decision. What would you do about this ?
