TDS
“……..Transderivational search (often abbreviated to TDS) is a psychological and cybernetics term, meaning when a search is being conducted for a fuzzy match across a broad field. In computing the equivalent function can be performed using Content-addressable memory. Unlike usual searches, which look for literal (i.e. exact, logical, or regular expression) matches, a transderivational search is a search for a possible meaning or possible match as part of communication, and without which an incoming communication cannot be made any sense of whatsoever. It is thus an integral part of processing language, and of attaching meaning to communication……..” “……….TDS is a fundamental part of human language and processing. Arguably, every word or utterance a person hears, for example, and everything they see or feel and take note of, results in a very brief trance while TDS is carried out to establish a contextual meaning for it…….” ....Wikipedia .................................. These comments relate to a slightly broader idea of transderivational search than we will be concerned with in this study. For instance, you may or may not know that a transderivational search had to be carried out by your search engine (Google, et al) in order to find the answer to your query, or in order to find the URL for this page. We, though, are concerned only with its relevance to communication within Af-x. Because language is our only tool, it’s important that we understand the dynamics involved in the mind when language is processed. So, we look at transderivational search ONLY in the context of its relevance to the linguistic and psycho-linguistic arena. I am astonished by the fact that there has not been a greater acknowledgement of the power of the dynamic of transderivational search (TDS) as it relates to and affects, not only all facets of therapeutic communication, but all facets of communication in life. If I had the gift of divine power, I would make it mandatory for all therapists, all doctors, all judges and lawyers – in fact all and every person who uses language in a way meant to influence any other person – to study and understand the dynamic of transderivational search AND pass that information on to every one of their clients. Television advertising experts have known about and utilized their knowledge of TDS for many years in order to subconsciously insinuate their messages in our “under-awareness” without us fully realizing the fact. Following, is an excerpt from my own in-clinic comment about TDS. TRANSCRIPT EXCERPT RELATING TO TDS
The VITAL IMPORTANCE of understanding TDS
This is an issue that will become an important and substantial supporting point during the WHOLE of the rest of this program of study. A thorough understanding of the dynamic of transderivational search as it relates to “how” we can assure that language is processed at unconscious level INDEPENDENT OF any conscious processing (the latter taking a back seat to the former), underscores almost every aspect of Af-x. In fact, a robust grasp of the meaning and importance of TDS can be, and IS, a qualifier in most of the challenging signatures of the Af-x process, both "in-clinic" and certainly within this program. Speaking on a personal level, when I first started to investigate the implications of TDS in everyday life, this began a train of re-assessing the way that human beings communicated, in and out of the clinical setting. The upshot was that a finding of “the subconscious mind takes on the information in spite of any experience at conscious level” influenced many of my developments in the Af-x model. In fact, many of the question marks that might otherwise exist when the “differences” between Af-x and other methods are investigated, it is encouraging that most of these questioning challenges to our "signatures and totemic principles" can be simply answered with an explanation of TDS – or a “remember TDS” whichever may be appropriate. To illustrate this, let’s look at a short list of some of the ideas inherent in Af-x that might fit this scenario. ... Why is there so much delivery of conscious explanation in Af-x? Through the process of TDS, the client’s subconscious “grows” to understand and accept in spite of previous conceptions. Why is “self-attention” deemed to be satisfactorily adequate as an Af-x communication process vehicle? Through the process of TDS, the subconscious “registers” the communicated message no matter what “state of awareness” the conscious is experiencing. How can Af-x subscribe to the notion that a complete absence of conscious-level reportable awareness is acceptable? Af-x subscribes to the proposition that the connective communication between language (as "vector") and the subconscious, through TDS processes, may be private in the extreme. In any case, just because there is no registration at conscious level does not cancel the fact of subconscious reception. Why does Af-x not necessarily subscribe to the idea that an experience of “release” or change should occur during session work (or soon after)? Due to the process of TDS, along with the proven fact of “subconscious learning*” there exists the probability of ongoing subtle change that may not be reportable for some time. Why does the Af-x practitioner NOT focus on the experience of “relaxation, etc” as a necessary part of the Af-x session? The subconscious remembers the experience, and through the process of TDS, when the relevant words are mentioned, the subconscious re-experiences the memory. Conscious receptivity of that subconscious experience is irrelevant. Most of the above can often generate almost antagonistic reactions from practitioners (and clients) who value conscious registration of subconscious experience at all costs (and there are many such practitioners and members of the public). Those reactions and points of view are respected by Af-x practitioners, but we can counter with affirmation of our views based on the decade and a half of long term feedback data – ESRs – that allow us to proclaim….. “Because of the longitudinal studies in Af-x showing that the level of success in our work is more than very satisfactory, we are able to say, "There is something about our work and how we do it that WORKS in the majority of cases.”
In terms of the self-attention experience in session work, the value of the concept of transderivational search is inestimable. What a difference it makes for a practitioner to be confident that under the “soft” injunctions imposed, the subconscious HAS NO CHOICE but to accept the linguistic messages!! What a freeing concept it is for the practitioner to know that the client’s conscious mind may resist relaxation, resist suggestion, resist much of what it hears, but can do nothing to prevent the process of TDS at unconscious level!! In other words, THE PROCESS OF TRANSDERIVATIONAL SEARCH ENSURES THAT THE SUBCONSCIOUS RECEIVES INFLUENTIAL MESSAGES AND REMINDERS. The trick, of course, is for the practitioner to develop a careful strategy that ensures that nothing is said that might “get in the way” of the information being processed and continuing to be processed in the privacy of the subconscious mind as an ongoing dynamic. In our terms, as affectologists, we think that many of the traditional injunctions involved in the processes that we know as “hypnosis therapy” or “trance therapy” are the very things that may stimulate unconscious sabotage and avoidance processes at all levels and perhaps corrupt positive communication intentions through TDS. Consider the differences between these two insight statements and the implications for success:-
#1 - is obviously a comment that is born of no understanding of the phenomenon of TDS, and a likelihood of being "set up to fail". #2 - is obviously a comment born of an understanding of TDS and a certainty of its action in unconscious work. (see Paul's comments at start of Stage 1). ... One experienced and long-practicing Af-x practitioner in Australia, whose ESR results show a high level of success with his ex-clients, adopts a very early “mini-lecture” with all clients on the importance of an understanding and acceptance of transderivational search. He claims that without this understanding, it makes no sense to even start on the process of delivering the informational introduction to the therapy ... KEY POINTS
In summary, transderivational search underscores qualifying support to almost all the unconventional and challenging “signatures” of Af-x. The concept has become Af-x’s “every moment and in-the-moment” axiom. |