Often, as one begins to examine a conflict, you discover that it is caused by the way in which people have been generalising information. People tend to make generalisations as a matter of course. This is very useful because it allows us to generalise what we learn in one situation to others. For instance, we learn to open a door - we generalise this learning so that the next time we encounter a new door, we can open it without having to start from scratch.
However, generalisation can also be very limiting. This occurs when we make large generalisations that overwhelm us. Being able to focus on smaller, more specific units of information can keep us from being overwhelmed.
Conversely, we might be too narrowly focused, and thus limited, by neglecting possibilities beyond our narrow scope. This is the source of many conflicts - people have got locked into arguing about very small details, and have lost the connection to the larger situation. Being able to consider a larger frame can expand our perspective.
Chunking is a way of sorting and organising information. This concept was originally formalised by the new discipline of NLP. When we do chunking we work with the logical levels in which information is organised within our neurology. There are three general ways to chunk.
1. Chunking up - generalisation - meta outcome
This leads to identifying a more general, larger frame. The item, concept or idea (X) that you are working with is a part of this larger frame. When you chunk up you get to a higher logical level, that is, the set that X is a member of. To chunk up you simply ask yourself, "What is this an example of?"
For example:
Table: Can chunk up to furniture
Listening to music: Can chunk up to leisure activities
Wanting more money: Can chunk up to security
2. Chunking down - information gathering
This leads to identifying a more specific, smaller frame that constitutes a component part of X. It brings you to a lower logical level, that is, it yields members of the set X. To chunk down you simply ask yourself, "What is an example or component of this?"
For example:
Table: Can chunk down to kitchen table
Listening to music: Can chunk down to Listening to Mozart
Wanting more money: Can chunk down to wanting to win the lottery
3. Chunking sideways or Across or Laterally (using isomorphism and metaphor)
This leads to identifying equivalent, adjacent frames. You maintain the same logical level and consider other members of the set that X is a member of. To chunk sideways, simply ask yourself: "What is another example or component of this?"
For example:
Table: Can chunk sideways to sofa; chest; chairs; etc.
Listening to music: Can chunk sideways to jogging; reading; playing tennis; etc.
