Visual – Auditory – Kinesthetic
VAK Preferences and Characteristics
Visual People
Visual people tend to say things like…
“I see what you mean“
“Looks good to me”
“I get the picture”
“That looks right”
“It’s black and white”
“It’s crystal clear”
“Let me see if I understand.”
Preferences
When relaxing – prefer to watch television or video, go to the theatre or read a book
When planning a vacation – prefer reading the brochures
When lost or need directions – prefer to read a map
When connecting with a friend – prefer to talk to people face to face
When operating new equipment – prefer to read instructions
When cooking a new dish – prefers to follow a recipe
When teaching someone – prefers to write instructions
When choosing a new car – prefers to read the reviews
When thanking or rewarding someone – prefers to send a note, letter or card
Traits
Fast talkers
Forget names, remember faces
Well dressed, tidy and organized
When inactive or bored, tend to doodle or watch someone or something
When angry, tend to be silent and seethe
Auditory People
Auditory People Say Things Like…
“I hear you”
“That sounds great”
“That clicks”
“I hear what you are saying”
“That rings a bell”
“Listen, why don’t we…”
“Let’s talk this out”
Preferences
When relaxing – prefer to listen to music, radio, or books on CD
When planning a vacation – prefer listening to travel recommendations
When lost or need directions – prefer to be told (spoken directions)
When connecting with a friend – prefer to talk to people on the phone
When operating new equipment – prefer to listen to explanation
When cooking a new dish – prefer to call a friend for an explanation of how to make the dish
When teaching someone – prefers to explain verbally
When choosing a new car – prefers to discuss with friends
When thanking or rewarding someone – prefers to give oral praise
Traits
Forget faces, remember names
When inactive or bored, tend to talk to themselves or others
Enjoy listening to others, but impatient to talk
When angry, tend to express themselves in outbursts
Do not like reading books or instruction manuals
Kinesthetic People
Kinesthetic (Touch-oriented) people tend to say things like…
“That feels right”
”That is hard for me to grasp”
“I catch your drift”
“It’s easy to handle”
“That really touches me”
“I’m itching to go”
“He rubs me the wrong way.”
Preferences
When relaxing – prefer to play games and sport, writing, playing music, or hang out with friends
When lost or need directions – prefer to be shown the way
When planning a vacation – prefer imagining the experience
When operating new equipment – prefer to have a go at it and just try to use it
When cooking a new dish – prefers to follow instinct and taste as they cook
When teaching someone – prefers to demonstrate or let them have a go at it
When choosing a new car – prefers to test drive
When thanking or rewarding someone – prefers to give a pat on the back
Traits
Talks slow and use gestures and expressions
Talks to people while doing something else
Cannot sit still for long periods of time
Hugs or shake hands when meeting people
When inactive or bored, tend to fidget
When angry, tend to clench their fists, grit their teeth and storm off
Additional Learning Styles
Felder-Silverman Learning Style
Herrmann’s Brain Dominance HBDI
Left-brain and Right-brain Preferences
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator MBTI