Photography technique?

Okay so i was wondering what the technique is called when you have the camera focused on 1 thing and the background is blurry.
also i was wondering how you achieve this with a simple compact camera like nikon etc.

Shallow Depth of Field.

For compact cameras, the best you can do is to stand back and zoom in.

Depth of Field - It's not a technique, it's just something cameras do. It has nothing to do with a photographer's skill. If you want out-of-focus backgrounds with a compact camera, try taking some macro shots or pictures were the camera is close to the subject and the background is far away.

Selective Focus
http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/how-to-use-the-selective-focus-technqiue.html

How to photograph using Selective Focus Technique:
http://www.learnmyshot.com/How+to+photograph+using+Selective+Focus

The technique is called 'Selective Focus', it's best achieved by using the widest aperture you have (lowest f number) and get close to the subject. You need Aperture Priority on your camera to be able to select the Aperture, most cameras have that.

Sensor size also has a bearing it's far easier with a large sensor than it is with the small sensor on a 'point and shoot'.

Shallow depth of field or Bokeh. You can achieve this by having a high aperture. You must use manual mode to do this. Putting the ISO up, or the shutter speed down can help get enough exposure. If you use a low shutter speed, you may want to use a tripod to help stabilize the photo.

Yes, there are two kinds of techniques, the police one and the normal one. Some people just for enjoing and the rest os blurred; some orhers hate joy and have a very short focus. Then, well, congrTulations