Criteria Hierarchy Technique

Values and Criteria

Values are principles or qualities that individuals or groups consider desirable, necessary, or valuable. They are typically expressed as nominalizations, such as love, friendship, joy, health.

Criteria are the specific fulfillment conditions of a value. They define what is important in a particular context, such as in a job or a relationship.

Values and criteria have different levels of importance, which create priorities. When two values or criteria are equally ranked, value conflicts can arise. Often, very subtle distinctions are required to establish the hierarchy, which can make this process challenging.

The Format

The “Criteria Hierarchy Technique” is designed to overcome inner resistance and motivate someone to carry out a desired activity.

Standard steps:

1. Define the problem
2. Identify the motivating value
3. Identify the stop criterion
4. Find a value that overrides the stop criterion
5. Paths for change
6. Test + Ecology Check

Detailed Description:

1. Define the Problem

This refers to a desired behavior that the person wants to adopt but hasn’t. For example: “You’d like to exercise regularly, but you keep noticing that you’re not doing it. You’re stopping yourself or feel blocked.”

2. Identify the Motivating Value

Find the value that makes the behavior seem worthwhile.

• Why is it important for you to develop this behavior?
• What does it mean to you?
• What would you gain by adopting the new behavior?

3. Stop Criterion

Identify, on a higher level, the criterion that is preventing the behavior.

• What is the reason that holds you back from engaging in the desired behavior? (e.g., no time, no desire)
• Use strategy steps and submodalities here.

4. Find a Value that Overrides the Stop Criterion

On an even higher level, identify a value strong enough to override the stopping mechanism.

• What could motivate you to act in spite of resistance? (e.g., being a role model for your children)
• Use strategy steps and submodalities here.

5. Paths for Change

• a) Elevate – use the highest value as a compelling argument
• b) Pace the stop criterion
• c) Adjust the strategy and submodalities of the motivational value to align with the highest value

• a) Your behavior is always a model for your children. Aren’t you being a great role model by working out?
• b) Is there a type of sport that’s quick, easy, and fun?
• c) Take the first images and steps and now arrange them (size, color, frame, sequence) in the same way as the image of being a role model for your children.

6. Test and Ecology Check

Check for success and ensure it’s ecologically sound.

• How does your motivation change?
• Can you imagine yourself doing it in the future?
• What would be the consequences?

Summary

Format is suitable for:

Overcoming "inner resistance" and increasing motivation to engage in desirable, regular activities like exercising.

Format compared to:

• Swish: More appropriate for eliminating compulsive behavior.
• Praline Pattern: More suitable for motivating necessary but disliked tasks, such as doing taxes.

Format Pitfalls:

The client cannot identify a motivating value.

Format Notes:

Values and beliefs are often the unconscious forces that guide our actions. Therefore, exploring and utilizing relevant values can significantly increase motivation.