The Eye Movement Model (Eye Accessing Cues) indicates that there is a connection between a person's eye movements and their internal processing state. The internal state is reflected outward through the eyes when a person processes their subjective experience. According to the Eye Movement Model, the eyes move in different directions depending on the type of thought. For example, when recalling memories, the eyes tend to move to the upper left corner, and in creative thinking, to the upper right corner from the observer's perspective. Although the Eye Movement Model has been somewhat misunderstood over time, it can help professionals recognize thought processes and individuals themselves in self-awareness.

Figure 1. NLP's main sensory channels and the Eye Movement Model depicted from the observer's perspective. Note. Horizontal and vertical axes, as well as different types of brain hemispheres, have been added by the Super* Project. (CC BY 4.0 Super* Project)

Theory to be learned:Eye Accessing Cues (NLP) and Eye Movement Model
Field of Science:Neurology, Psychology, NLP research
Prerequisites:Basic concepts from NLP.
Relations to Super* Theory: The theory is fundamentally connected to the Super* Theory, where the Eye Movement Model is further studied and a more complete version is formed. From the eyes, one can also observe dual consciousness and mindful presence, not just the aspects indicated by the NLP Eye Model.
Level of Difficulty:
★★

Summary

Eye Accessing Cues suggests a correlation between eye movements and internal processing states. This model proposes that the direction of a person's eye movements can indicate the type of thoughts they are processing. For instance, when recalling actual memories, the eyes might move to the upper left, whereas creative thoughts might lead the eyes to the upper right (from the observer's perspective) (Diamantopoulos, 2010). Despite some misconceptions, the Eye Accessing Cues model can assist professionals in recognizing thought processes and aid individuals in self-awareness.

History and Debate

The Eye Accessing Cues model, a product of Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP), is perhaps its most famous and controversial aspect. Initially, the model's true significance was distorted by rumors, leading to claims that eye movements could reveal whether a person is lying. Although police interrogators and psychology professionals are said to use this model, its validity remains debated. However, it is established that eye movements can indeed indicate whether a person is using created images or memories in their thought process.

Note: It's essential to understand that the Eye Accessing Cues model is a stereotypical generalization for right-handed individuals. For left-handed people, the model often works as a mirror image.

Scientific Research and Criticism

Scientific research on the Eye Accessing Cues model is still in its early stages. Initial studies have found significant flaws in the model, failing to produce the claimed results. However, it's also noted that these studies were often designed by individuals who were not NLP professionals, leading to incorrect setups. For example, creativity cannot be measured by first thinking of a memory and then modifying it; this setup forces the eyes to first access memories and then creativity. Similarly, asking for a feeling after thinking of a memory, or measuring the inner voice level with mathematical questions, can be misleading.

Examples of incorrect question setups can be found in the research by Ahmed (2013), which has been considered valid by researchers Passmore and Rowson (2019). An interesting doctoral dissertation on the potential of the Eye Accessing Cues model with new technology is provided by Diamantopoulos (2010).

Conclusion

The primary takeaway is that the Eye Accessing Cues model requires further scientific investigation. The Super* Project is open to participating in such research and may even conduct it independently in the future.

Connection to Super* Theory

Eye Accessing Cues is fundamentally connected to the Super* Theory, which extends the model by incorporating horizontal and vertical axes, representing dual consciousness and mindful presence. According to Super* Theory, the Eye Accessing Cues model indicates various dimensions/contexts through eye movements, similar to those outlined in the Super* Basic Exercise.

One of the goals of the Super* Project is to conduct scientific research and create an experimental setup to further explore this hypothesis.

In terms of spirituality, the Eye Accessing Cues model is significant because it links human internal neurology with evolution. The hypothesis suggests that the evolution revealed by the Eye Accessing Cues model mirrors the Kabbalah's concept of the Tree of Life, ascending from the lower to the upper levels. The emotional part of a person is older than the superego, which is older than the creative part, which is older than the reality-describing part, and so on. Thus, the Eye Accessing Cues model may potentially be a modern depiction of the Tree of Life and its symbolism.

References

The source of Figure 1 is NLP courses, with the original source being Bandler and Grinder (1979). In addition to the Eye Accessing Cues model, sensory channels are included, also sourced from Bandler and Grinder (1979). The Super* Project has added annotations to the image, including the different types of human brain hemispheres. The copyright of the image is held under (CC BY 4.0 Super* Project).

Ahmed, K. Z. (2013). Lying Eyes: The Truth about NLP Eye Patterns and Their Relationship with Academic Performance in Business and Management Studies (MBA), International Journal of Business and Management, 8(23), doi:10.5539/ijbm.v8n23p67

Bandler, R., & Grinder, J. (1979). Frogs into Princes, Moab, UT: Real People Press.

Diamantopoulos, G. (2010). Novel eye feature extraction and tracking for non-visual eye-movement applications. [doctoral thesis]. The university of Birmingham. https://anlp.org/media/Resources/Research%20Papers/georgios-dimantoplois-eye-accessing-cues_6_130.pdf?_t=1533141888 

Passmore, J. & Rowson, T. (2019). Neuro-linguistic programming: A review of NLP research and the application of NLP in coaching. International Coaching Psychology Review, 57-69, 14(1).