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successful individuals and applying them to reach a personal goal. It relates thoughts, language, and
Proponents of NLP assume all human action is positive. Therefore, if a plan fails or the unexpected
happens, the experience is neither good nor bad—it simply presents more useful information.
primary founders are John Grinder , a linguist, and Richard Bandler , an information scientist and
mathematician. Judith DeLozier and Leslie Cameron-Bandler also contributed significantly to the field, as
Grinder and Bandler's first book on NLP, Structure of Magic: A Book about Language of Therapy , was
released in 1975. In this publication, they attempted to highlight certain patterns of communication that set
communicators considered to be excellent apart from others. Much of the book was based on the work
of Virginia Satir , Fritz Perls , and Milton Erickson . It also integrated techniques and theories from other
renowned mental health professionals and researchers such as Noam Chomsky , Gregory Bateson , Carlos
Castaneda, and Alfred Korzybski. The result of Grinder and Bandler's work was the development of the
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NLP meta model, a technique they believed could identify language patterns that reflected basic cognitive
processes.
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Interest in NLP grew in the late 1970s, after Bandler and Grinder began marketing the approach as a tool
for people to learn how others achieve success. Today, NLP is used in a wide variety of fields, including
counseling, medicine, law, business, the performing arts, sports, the military, and education.
belief is that if an individual can understand how another person accomplishes a task, the process may be
copied and communicated to others so they too can accomplish the task.
Proponents of neuro-linguistic programming propose that everyone has a personal map of reality. Those
who practice NLP analyze their own and other perspectives to create a systematic overview of one
situation. By understanding a range of perspectives, the NLP user gains information. Advocates of this
school of thought believe the senses are vital for processing available information and that the body and
mind influence each other. Neuro-linguistic programming is an experiential approach. Therefore, if a person
wants to understand an action, they must perform that same action to learn from the experience.
NLP practitioners believe there are natural hierarchies of learning, communication, and change. The six
Purpose and spirituality : This can be involvement in something larger than oneself, such as
Capabilities and skills: These are your abilities and what you can do.
Environment: Your environment is your context or setting, including any other people around you.
The purpose of each logical level is to organize and direct the information below it. As a result, making a
change in a lower level may cause changes in a higher level. However, making a change in a higher level
will also result in changes in the lower levels, according to NLP theory.
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A core concept of NLP can be summarized by the saying, “The map is not the territory,” because it
highlights the differences between belief and reality. It points out that each person operates within their own
perspective rather than from a place of objectivity. Proponents of NLP believe everyone’s perception of the
world is distorted, limited, and unique. A therapist who practices NLP must therefore understand how a
person in treatment perceives their “map” and the effect this perception may have on that person’s thoughts
and behavior.
An individual’s map of the world is formed from data received through the senses. This information can be
auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, or kinesthetic. NLP practitioners believe this information differs
individually in terms of quality and importance, and that each person processes experiences using a
primary representational system (PRS). For an NLP therapist to work effectively with a person in treatment,
the therapist must attempt to match that individual’s PRS to use their personal map. NLP practitioners
believe it is possible to access representational systems using cues, such as eye movements.
NLP therapists work with people to understand their thinking and behavioral patterns, emotional state , and
aspirations. By examining a person’s map, the therapist can help them find and strengthen the skills that
serve them best and assist them in developing new strategies to replace unproductive ones. This process
Supporters of NLP claim the approach produces fast, lasting results and improves understanding of
cognitive and behavioral patterns. NLP also seeks to build effective communication
solving skills. Some advocates of NLP compare the approach to cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) but
Since its creation, neuro-linguistic programming has been used to treat a wide range of issues. These
include:
Communication issues
Posttraumatic stress
Depression
Attention-deficit hyperactivity
Addiction
Schizophrenia
Borderline personality
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NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING RESEARCH
Though limited in number, scientific studies have investigated the effectiveness of NLP as a treatment
method. In a 2013 study, researchers investigated whether the language and visualization techniques used
in neuro-linguistic programming would help children with special education needs be better prepared for
learning in the classroom. Researchers concluded NLP techniques helped the children develop a positive
state of mind conducive to learning. However, it was also explained that these were "brief, tentative
conclusions." In addition to other limiting factors, the sample consisted of only seven children.
NLP practitioners claim eye movement can be a reliable indicator for lie detection. In 2012, researchers
tested this claim in a series of three studies. In the first study, the eye movements of participants who were
telling the truth or lying did not match proposed NLP patterns. In the second study, one group was told
about the NLP eye movement hypothesis while the control group was not. However, there was no
significant difference between both groups after a lie detection test. In the third study, the eye movements
of each group were coded at public press conferences. Again, there was no significant difference in eye
A systematic review of the impact of NLP on health was conducted by researchers in 2012. In this review,
ten studies addressing issues including substance abuse, anxiety, weight management, morning sickness,
and claustrophobia were evaluated. The researchers concluded that while strong evidence did not exist of
NLP being ineffective, there was little evidence to suggest NLP interventions improved health.
CONCERNS AND LIMITATIONS OF NEURO-LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
Due in part to its eclectic nature, neuro-linguistic programming is difficult to define as a treatment modality.
The most significant limitation of neuro-linguistic programming is arguably a lack of empirical evidence to
While numerous testimonials praise the approach, there have been few scientific studies to date providing
firm, unbiased proof that it is an effective mode of treatment for mental health issues. NLP co-founder
Additionally, the lack of regulation in training and certification has resulted in many individuals becoming
References:
1. Craft, A. (2001). Neuro-linguistic programming and learning theory. The Curriculum Journal, 12(1),
2. Grimley, B. (2015, December 17). What is neurolinguistics programming, (nlp)? The development of
a grounded theory of neuro-linguistic programming within an action research journey. Retrieved from
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http://www.achieving-lives.co.uk/files/Files/final%20dissertation%20v66%2012_12_2015%20for
%20Viva%20on%2021_12_2015%20with%20corrections%20v66.pdf
3. Kudliskis, V. (2013, June 28). Neuro-linguistic programming and altered states: Encouraging
preparation for learning in the classroom for students with special education needs. British Journal of
4. Luban, J. A. (2010). Rapid rapport using neurolinguistic programming for improved health care
outcomes. California Journal of Oriental Medicine. Retrieved from http://lamorindaacupuncture.com/wp-
content/uploads/2010/06/CJOM-NLP-Article1.pdf
5. Sturt, J., Ali, S., Robertson, W., Metcalfe, D., Grove, A., Bourne, C., & Bridle, C. (2012).
Neurolinguistic programming: a systematic review of the effects on health outcomes. The British Journal
6. Tosey, P., & Mathison, J. (2010, August 12). Neuro-linguistic programming as an innovation in
education and teaching. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 47(3), 317-326. doi:
10.1080/14703297.2010.498183
7. Tosey, P., & Mathison, J. (2010, June 4). Neuro-linguistic programming and learning theory: A
response. The Curriculum Journal, 14(3), 371-388. doi: 10.1080/0958517032000137667
8. Wiseman, R., Watt, C., ten Brinke, L., Porter, S., Couper, S. L., & Rankin, C. (2012, July 11). The
eyes don't have it: Lie detection and neuro-linguistic programming. PLoS ONE, 7(7), e40259.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0040259
Last Update: 02-12-2018
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