An X-Ray Machine for the Mind
If you had a machine that could measure how people think, how would you use it? MindSonar is a psychological test that measures people’s metaprograms, their criteria (what they find important), the hierarchy in their criteria, and what type of criteria they are. MindSonar is like an x-ray machine for the mind.

What Do We Mean when we say ‘Thinking’?
In MindSonar, the word ‘thinking’ refers to a combination of self-talk, images, and feelings (emotions and sensations), what is important (criteria and values), and what is true (beliefs or convictions). It is assumed—and this is different from most other psychological tests—that someone’s meta-programs and criteria will be different in different situations. For instance, when someone is leading a team, he or she may be thinking completely differently from when they are playing with their children. Therefore MindSonar always measures someone’s thinking style for a specific context.

Where Does the Name MPA MindSonar Come From?
MPA stands for Meta Profile Analysis. The term ‘MindSonar’ uses physical sonar technology as an analogy. Sonar shows us objects that cannot be seen by observing the surface of the water, and sonar requires an expert to understand the exact nature of those objects. Both elements in this description are important; the idea of looking below the surface of language and behaviour,
as well as the fact that it takes a trained professional to read the instrument well.

Name History
Until 2002, MindSonar was called just ‘MetaProfile Analysis’, indicating that it is a system for analysing metaprograms. Metaprograms – a term originating from Neuro-Linguistic Programming – are trends in human thinking. So, for instance, if I am usually thinking a lot about small details, then ‘specific’ would be one of my metaprograms. And if I alsot hink a lot about what I want to achieve, then ‘towards’ would be another one. The system analyses these thinking trends or thinking styles. The term ‘MetaProfile Analysis’ (MPA), however, is spelled differently in different languages. In Romanic languages (like French or Spanish) it is ‘AMP’, rather than ‘MPA’. MPA was, therefore, quite complicated and expensive to register as a trademark internationally. It was for this reason, that we changed the name to ‘MindSonar’.

“Those who have tried to develop instruments have based them on what people
think, do or believe, which is not the proper base for assessment devices. They
should be based not on what the person thinks but how he thinks, not on what
people do or what they believe but how they do what they do, and how they
believe that which they do believe”.
Dr. Clare W. Graves

MindSonar
MindSonar Headquarters in Holland