Neurological levels

The Neurological levels were proposed by anthropologist Gregory Bateson (1972, 1979). He defined a hierarchy of abstraction including beliefs, values and identity. He perceived relationships as having a higher abstraction than identity, and therefore influencing lower levels in the hierarchy, such as beliefs and behavior.

Dilts' (neuro)logical levels
In Neuro-linguistic programming, they were developed by Robert Dilts into the Dilts' Neuro-logical levels (also known as the logical levels of change and the logical levels of thinking) which are useful for assisting with or understanding change from an individual, social or organization point of view. Each level is progressively more psychologically encompassing and impactful.

A belief, outcome may be considered from different levels:


 * spirit or strategic vision - What is my intention or purpose for this?
 * identity - Who am I to be?
 * belief and values - What are my beliefs?
 * capability - What am I capable of doing?
 * behavior - What am I able to do?
 * environment - In what context does this behavior occur?

Logical levels/logical types
The model as developed by Dilts has come under criticism from NLP co-creator John Grinder for its logical incoherence: see Grinder and Bostic's 'Whispering in the Wind'. NLP trainer Michael Breen is another prominent critic, claiming that the utility of the model is not in its structure, but can be explained adequately as an example of anchoring.