Selectional restriction violation is a hypnotic language pattern within the Milton Model. It involves attributing human qualities to objects or beings that cannot logically possess them. For example, a tree cannot experience sadness, a man cannot become pregnant, and a rock is not truly a pet.

When someone hears such a statement, their unconscious mind must find a way to interpret it. Since the literal meaning doesn’t make sense, the mind often applies the statement to itself. If a tree cannot feel sad, then perhaps the statement is actually about the listener. If a man cannot be pregnant, the mind may perceive it as a metaphor rather than a factual statement.

This technique is commonly used in metaphors. For instance, saying, “A butterfly takes its time emerging from a cocoon because it understands there’s no need to rush,” or “A tortoise moves forward steadily, knowing persistence will get it to its destination,” forces the unconscious mind to process meaning beyond surface-level logic. Since the conscious mind cannot resolve these statements rationally, the unconscious steps in, often drawing connections to personal experiences or challenges.

Milton Erickson skillfully applied this technique in therapy. In one case, he told a terminal cancer patient, “A tomato plant can feel good, Joe.” This statement, while illogical at face value, encouraged the patient’s unconscious to interpret it in a way that might offer comfort or a shift in perspective.

By bypassing the rational mind, selectional restriction violations serve as a powerful tool in hypnosis and therapeutic storytelling, guiding individuals into deeper states of trance and self-reflection.