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Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a method proposed for programming the mind. It is more specifically defined as "the study of the structure of subjective experience" (Dilts, Grinder, Bandler, Delozier, 1979) or an epistemology, with the primary focus on human patterning. NLP is broadly focused on modeling how a high performer does what he/she does; and processes for change and communication.

NLP teaches methods for gathering information from someone, through language and non-verbal behaviors, to find the patterns of how someone performs(whether to model them or help them change). NLP also teaches processes for influencing patterns of thought, state management, changing beliefs (O'Connor and McDermot 1996), examining intentions and values, changing habits, and exploring the consequences of choices (for self and others).

Originally modeled on three psychotherapists, NLP uses sense-based modalities such as preferred representational systems (PRS) (visual, auditory or kinesthetic modes of thinking), behavioral mirroring and pacing, and processes include behaviour change, transforming beliefs, and treatment of traumas through techniques such as reframing (Andreas & Faulkner, 1994) and linguistic NLP "meta-modeling". The methods of NLP involve programming and reprogramming engrams (Sinclair 1992; Drenth 2003) (Overdurf and Silverthorn 1995). NLP has been applied to a variety of contexts including business, sports performance, the development of psychic abilities, and covert seduction techniques.

It is claimed that NLP is highly interdisciplinary (Grinder & Bandler, 1975a; ch.1, Grinder & Bostic, 2001).

Scientific research on specific NLP processes generally concludes that NLP is scientifically unsupported (Heap 1988; Sharpley 1987; Lilienfeld et al 2003). This has led to NLP being classed as pseudoscientific (Eisner 2000; Lilienfeld et al 2003).


Overview

NLP emphasizes the mind-body connection (and some also include the spirit connection). The term "neuro-linguistic programming" includes three ideas: (1) all behaviour starts from neurological processes; (2) language organizes our thinking and allows humans to communicate with each other; and (3) we can program our own behaviour to achieve the results we desire (Partridge 2004).

Some NLP proponents state that neuro-linguistic programming is atheoretical (Singer and Lalich 1996), and NLP's focus is on modeling and the structure of experience first, where theories would act as filters and prevent effective information gathering. However, once modeled, some processes have been related to existing theories (or new theories have been developed). Robert Dilts asserts that NLP "is theoretically rooted in the principles of neurology, psychophysiology, linguistics, cybernetics, and communication theory" (Dilts et al 1980). Sinclair (1992) theorises that NLP processes are explained through the neurological concepts of programming and reprogramming engrams of the mind/body connection (Drenth 2003) in order to effect change, to develop unconscious competence, and to treat trauma (Andreas & Faulkner, 1994). Some practitioners explain anchoring as a form of pavlovian conditioning. Rex and Carolyn Sikes describe anchoring as "consciously creating the placebo effect". And NLP works through reframing and belief change methods (O'Connor and McDermot 1996).

The engram is the neural network that represents past experience, and is sometimes thought of as a kind of hologram containing information from the five senses (sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch) and the present thoughts (Schacter 1997). Engrams give a patterned response which has been stabilised at the level of unconscious competence. They involve beneficial automatic activities as well as pernicious ones like addictive behaviour (Sinclair 1992).

The Swish pattern and chaining states and anchors, are primarily focused on the perceptive aspects of engrams (Derks and Goldblatt 1985). These patterns involve the memory trace which can be located through the direction of gaze in space, and then can be accessed and manipulated using changes in internal visuo-spatial imagery.

Goals

The NLP practitioner's goal may include changing a person's state or "re-programming" that person's beliefs and self concept. By detecting automatic body changes such as skin color changes, muscle tension, and eye movements, as well as other physiological responses, the NLP practitioner attempts to discern how a client/subject perceives and relates to identity, life and personal beliefs, and life goal issues. NLP practitioners claim to be able to help clients to replace false or negative perceptions, with positive, life affirming beliefs. Grinder describes NLP as "an accelerated learning approach for modeling human excellence" (Grinder 2003).

NLP processes have also been applied to replace false beliefs, though the same process could be used to create false beliefs. NLP has been applied to therapy, coaching, self development, hypnotherapy, sports performance, business, and the New Age. NLP has also been applied to LGATs or large awareness training seminars (taught by NLP practitioners such as Anthony Robbins), seduction workshops, and other more fringe practices such as shamanism, and psychic development.

Principles and Presuppositions

The principles and presuppositions of NLP are sometimes described as an epistemology. NLP claims to study the way people take in information, how they describe it to themselves with their senses, filter it with their beliefs and values, and act on the result.

NLP calls some of these principles "presuppositions" - Presuppositions are treated by the practitioner "as if" they are true when working with a subject, with the intent to increase the effectiveness of change work.

Two fundamental presuppositions are: (Dilts et al 1980)

  • The map is not the territory. According to "NLP epistemology" Alfred Korzybski and Gregory Bateson there is no such thing as "objective experience." The subjective nature of our experience never fully captures the objective world. NLP claims to study these "maps of the world" from which we are supposed to operate.
  • Life and 'Mind' are Systemic Processes. The processes that take place within a human being and between human beings and their environment are systemic. Our bodies, our societies, and our planet form an ecology of complex systems and sub-systems all of which interact with and mutually influence each other.

The other most commonly related presuppositions are:

  • Behind every behavior is a positive intention. This is a model taken from Virginia Satir's belief system, and means that whatever a person does, they're attempting to fulfill some positive intent (of which they may not be aware). It assumes that the current behaviour exhibited by a person represents the best choice available to them at the time. Generating alternatives from this point of view is thought by NLP proponents to be a useful way of helping people to change unwanted or undesirable behaviours.
  • There is no failure, only feedback. If you think you've failed, consider instead what you've learned and how you might do it better next time (don't dwell unnecessarily on the failure).(This is a principle of feedback loop, borrowed from information theory. see, Asbby, Cybernetics).
  • We already have all the resources we need to succeed. It is argued that this is useful for the subject to believe when attempting a change. Christina Hall has argued that people's resources are their sensory representation systems and the manner in which they are organised.
  • Multiple descriptions are better than one. This makes use of the perspective of self, another involved individual, and a detached third person in that situation. By moving between perceptual positions it is claimed that one can develop new choice of responses (Bostic & Grinder, 2002 p.247).

Other more specific presuppositions can also be adopted for change in NLP. For example it has been claimed that the presuppositions of Jesus of Nazareth have been identified using NLP modeling:.

NLP Modeling

NLP modeling is considered by some practitioners to be at the heart of NLP. It primarily asks the question: "what do consistently high-performing 'geniuses' do differently than 'average' performers?" (Grinder, 2003).

NLP Modeling involves attempting to enter an appropriate state from which to model, with no preconceptions of how the model does what they do. The aim is to discover how people perform in a given niche, initially through observation and imitation - only when the skills can be replicated does the modeler start to explicitly code "the difference that makes the difference", so that the difference can be taught to others (Bandler & Grinder, 1975). NLP modeling can be thought of as the process of discovering relevant distinctions within these experiential components, as well as relevant sequencing of these components necessary to achieve a specific result. Grinder describes the modelling process as "an accelerated learning approach for modeling human excellence".

There have been several methods of modeling practicised within the NLP community. Grinder and Dilts now differentiate "NLP modeling" from "Analytic Modeling" which has been taught as part of NLP previously (announced October 17 2005-). It should also be noted that the term "model" in Psychological Models is unrelated to NLP modeling.

Analytic Modeling includes strategy elicitation, and modeling someone through their biographies and other descriptions. For instance, Robert Dilts published models of Jesus of Nazareth's, Sherlock Holmes's, Albert Einstein's and Nikola Tesla’s internal strategies. Some NLP proponents have criticised this activity, and proclaim that with no access to the model (nor quality video), it is not possible to test whether the model is accurate. Similarly, scientists have criticised NLP modeling on the whole, stating that it is impossible to determine a "correct" model, applying one particular model to everyone is over-simplistic, and will be no substitute for hard earned expertise (Carroll 2003).

Background

One of the earliest influences on NLP were General Semantics (Alfred Korzybski) as a new perspective for looking at the world which included a kind of mental hygiene. This was a departure from the Aristotelian concepts of modern science and objective reality, and it influenced notions of programming the mind that NLP includes.

General semantics influenced several schools of thought, leading to a viable human potential industry and associations with emerging New Age thinking. By the late 1960s, self-help organizations such as EST, Dianetics, and Scientology had become financially successful, receiving attention and promotion from human potential thinkers such as Fritz Perls who had a great interest in the engram concept, and during this period, promoted and operated a Dianetics clinic (Clarkson and Mackewn 1993). Hubbard's methodology provide raw material for Frederick Perls' Gestalt therapy (Joyce 1989). The Esalen human potential seminars in California began to attract people, such as the aforementioned Fritz Perls, as well as Gregory Bateson, Virginia Satir, and Milton Erickson.

The first 3 people Grinder and Bandler modeled were

(source Andreas & Faulkner, 1994)

Two other people were later modeled:

  • Frank Farrelly (see eg. Provocative Therapy, a lesser known 4th model for NLP).
  • Feldenkrais (eg. Feldenkrais Method, Bandler & Grinder modeled Feldenkrais, some says this is the NLP for the body).

These individuals were considered by Grinder and Bandler to be highly competent in their fields, and the patterns they detected in their therapy became the basis of NLP, along with influences from Korzybski and Bateson (who coined the NLP expressions "The map is not the territory", and "the difference that makes the difference", respectively). Grinder and Bandler analyzed the speaking patterns, voice tones, word selection, gesticulations, postures, and eye movements of these individuals and related this information to the internal thinking process of each participant.

The practice of neuro-linguistic programming attracted mostly therapists at first although it eventually attracted business people, sales people, artists, and "new-agers" (Hall 1994). As it expanded, Leslie Cameron-Bandler, Judith DeLozier, Robert Dilts, and David Gordon made further contributions to NLP and the seminars of Bandler and Grinder were transcribed into a book, Frogs into Princes. This became a popular NLP book; demand for seminars increased, which in turn became successful human potential attractions (Dilts, 1991).

NLP's core methods and hypotheses have been tested over the period from the early 1980's to the present and are scientifically unsupported, and as such, scientists class NLP as a pseudoscientific self-help development in the same mould as that of Dianetics and EST (Lilienfeld 2003; Drenth 2003; Levelt 1995; Barrett 1997; Carroll 2003; Eisner 2000; Raso 1994).

Following the influence of the Esalen Institute, NLP is often promoted in combination with New Age developments such as biofeedback, neurofeedback, intuition development, remote viewing, and psychic development.

Basic Tenets of NLP

The basic tenets of NLP are thought of as 5 elements that NLP proponents claim will indicate an individual's internal strategies. These all refer to a single notion of internal strategies being either visual, auditory, or kinesthetic (with a less likely extra olfactory and gustatory).

  1. body posture,
  2. breathing,
  3. gestures towards eyes ears or body,
  4. eye movements (See eye accessing cues and PRS), and
  5. language patterns (meta-model) and predicates such as "I see!" "Sounds right! or "I feel that..."(Dilts et al 1980;Dilts 1998).

Eye accessing cues and the preferred representational system (PRS)

File:Eye accessing cuesG.JPG
Eye accessing cues of NLP


According to this core NLP tenet, upward eye movements indicate visual processing, eye movements down indicate somatic or kinesthetic processing, and eye movements to the sides indicate auditory processing. Also, eye movements to the left, or right indicate if a representation was recalled or constructed. NLP practitioners also use other cues to understand the preferred representational system (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) of the person. For example, the posture of a person could be; head up and erect, swaying or tilted, rounded and head down to indicate visual, auditory or kinesthetic respectively (O'Connor and McDermot, 1996).

Similarly, some authors (eg Bradbury, 1997) use internal Verbal/Auditory/Kinesthetic strategies in order to categorize people within a thinking strategies or learning styles framework, although these notions also lack scientific support.

NLP advocates connect this with brain hemispheric science of left and right brain dominance for certain skills, such as logic and mathematics for engram traces in the left hemisphere, and creativity and imagination for engram traces in the right hemisphere (O'Connor & McDermott, 1996) (Bandler et al, 1975). Some NLP proponents, such as Bandler and Grinder (1975b), Dilts (1998) and Lewis (1985) use left/right brain hemispheric differences to explain how the mind works in relation to eye accessing cues and preferred representational systems. However, scientific knowledge indicates that these are oversimplified and mythical popular psychology (Sala et al, 1999; Drenth, 2003).

Most evidence used by NLP practitioners to promote the use of NLP appears to be unsubstantiated, uncorroborated or entirely anecdotal as testing of NLP "models" has shown that NLP has no significant scientific support(Platt, 2001). The conjecture that a person has a primary representational system (PRS) which is observed in the choice of words has been found to be false according to rigorous research reviews (Morgan, 1993; Platt, 2001). The assertion that a person has a PRS which can be determined by the direction of eye movements found even less support (Heap, 1988; Morgan, 1993; Platt, 2001). The assertion that matching PRS will increase rapport with the client has also been found to be false, and that therapists who try to match their clients' language using techniques proposed within NLP were rated by the client and external observers as being untrustworthy and ineffective (Heap, 1988; Morgan, 1993).

Meta-model and Milton Model

File:MHE.jpg
Milton Erickson provided the Milton-Model for NLP

Put simply, the meta-model is a set of thirteen language patterns (from Virginia Satir, Fritz Perls and Transformational syntax) designed to challenge limits to a person's map of the world (Grinder & Bostic, 2001). Challenges are directed at distortions, generalizations or deletions in the speaker's language (Bandler & Grinder, 1975a Ch3). The meta-model can be reduced to the asking a subject "What specifically", or "How specifically?" to challenge and clarify their map.

The reverse set of the meta-model is the Milton-model; a collection of artfully vague (not specific) language patterns elicited from the work of Milton H. Erickson (Bandler & Grinder, 1975b). Here, vague language is used to allow the client to put in their own specific representations.

Together these 2 models form the basis for the all other NLP models.

Example 1: Distortions - Presuppositions

  • Speaker: I'm afraid my son is turning out to be as lazy as my husband
  • Challenge: Is your husband lazy?

Example 2: Generalizations - Lack of Referential Index (never, nobody, everybody, all, ...)

  • Speaker: Nobody pays attention to anything I say.
  • Challenge: Who doesn't pay attention to you?
  • Speaker: My son and daughter.

Example 3: Deletions - Comparatives and Superlatives (best, worst, ...)

  • Speaker: I'm feeling better.
  • Challenged: Compared to what?

The meta-model has a close similarity to the original and earlier development of Cognitive Behavior Therapy's cognitive distortions.

NLP Applications

NLP has been applied to fields such as sales, therapy, communication, education, coaching, sport, management, business, occult practices, and spiritual development. This is both through the use of existing NLP patterns, and through modeling thought-to-be high performers in fields. NLP has spawned a 'toolbox' of NLP patterns which have been used in various fields in different ways.

Psychotherapy

The first subjects of study were from the fields of family therapy, hypnosis, gestalt therapy and provocative therapy, and some practitioners of counseling and psychotherapy take NLP training. NLP certification does not require any professional qualifications. It has been said that exaggerated claims about NLP tend to be generated by the mqualified NLP practitioners (Eisner 2000).

There are claimed to be various patterns (eg, the NLP fast phobia cure) for specific interventions. Most of the basic NLP techniques can be self applied, though working with a practitioner is beneficial especially for less basic change work. Qualified NLP practitioners can do more complex NLP change work (Eisner 2000).

Since 1986, Neuro Linguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt) has been developed primarily in Europe - see the Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy and Counnselling Association and the European Association for Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy.

Coaching / Change work

NLP methods and models are often applied by personal and business coaching for individuals and teams, and also in personal development fields.

Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins, promotes 'neuroassociative conditioning'®, which is his form of NLP (Robbins sought to trademark his own personalized style of NLP when it became a generic term).

Some change work is said to be similar to LGAT methods of dissemination, and EST seminars.

Energy, Spiritual Experience, & the New Age

NLP often involves spirituality especially with reference to the logical levels view. Similar to other amoral pseudoscientific psychocults such as Dianetics and EST (Novopashin 2004; Eisner 2000), NLP includes New Age notions of psychic energy.

The foundation for Bandler and Grinder's NLP is based in the New Age (Williams 2000; Swets and Bjork 1990). Although, for so many years people would say NLP didn't have anything to do with spirituality and yet the title of NLP Vol.1 is "The study of the structure of subjective experience", ... well if spiritual is a subjective experience how could it not be part of NLP." (Dilts, 1997).

Some NLP practitioners consider the mind, spirit and physical body as a system; that is, each influences the other (Dilts 1992). Humans communicate by taking in information through the senses, but also by giving out communication as a kind of energy.

Bandler often uses shamanistic anecdotes in his seminars (Hall & Belnap, 1999) and Grinder uses terms such as "first attention/second attention" and "stop the world states", terms borrowed from Carlos Castenada's New Age writings (see for example, Grinder & Delozier, 1987). Shaman and philosophers have used metaphor and some NLP proponents believe that every (succesfull) healer must make use of principles that are similar to those used by wichdoctors and shamans (Derks and Hollander 1998). As such, the Spiritual Healing process has been developed by Dilts and McDonald for the Tools of the Spirit program (1992).

According to some NLP proponents, using NLP, the release of energy through fantasy can be vast (Bandler and Grinder (1975a), and psychic energy can be liberated from phobic responses and by focusing on pleasurable experiences (Bandler and Grinder 1979). It is claimed that NLP can be used to “create both positive (+) and negative (-) psychic energy which operate at polar opposites from each other” (Hall 2001). Energy can be created by using the “right words” (Lakin 2000), and by using inner commitment (Andreas and Faulkner 1996), and rapport can create an alignment of energy levels in two different individuals regardless of physical state (Valentino 1999). It is also claimed that by using NLP, energy can be directed outside of the body all the way to the very furthest reaches of the of the universe (James and Shephard, 2001).

Energy Psychology and the concept of energy is popular subject with NLP trainers and practitioners; some NLP practitioners even combine NLP with spiritual beliefs such as Huna and witchcraft (James and Shephard, 2001). Practitioners who apply NLP patterns in spiritual contexts are said to be fully accepting of any religion whether it be Christian, Buddhist, Occultist, Taoist, Rosicrucian, or any other (O'Connor and McDermot 1996).

Science

The scientific testing of NLP

NLP has been empirically tested over many years, and it has been found to be largely ineffective (Thaler Singer & Lalich, 1996). In 1984, the US National Committee, asked in to judge the various techniques of NLP using available research, and showed that NLP was scientifically unsupported (Heap 1988).

In relating to current understanding of neurology and perception NLP is in error (Bertelsen 1987), and instead of being grounded in contemporary, scientifically derived neurological theory, NLP is based on outdated metaphors of brain functioning and is laced with numerous factual errors (Druckman and Swets 1988). There is no evidence to support either NLP assumptions or NLP effectiveness (Druckman, & Swets1988).

The 1988 US National Committee report found that "Individually, and as a group, these studies fail to provide an empirical base of support for NLP assumptions...or NLP effectiveness. The committee cannot recommend the employment of such an unvalidated technique" (Druckman & Swets, 1988). In addition, Edgar Johnson, technical director of the Army Research Institute heading the NLP focused Project Jedi stated that "Lots of data shows that NLP doesn't work" (Squires 1988). NLP has failed to yield convincing evidence for the NLP model, and failed to provide evidence for its effectiveness (Heap 1989).

Where controlled studies have been performed attempting to test NLP hypotheses, such as the proposed relationship between eye movement direction and preferred representational system, they have consistently failed to do so (Von Bergen et al 1997), therefore NLP does not stand up to scientific scrutiny (Von Bergen et al 1997).

Thus, objective and empirical studies and review papers have consistently shown NLP to be ineffective and reviews or meta-analyses have given NLP a conclusively negative assessment (Bleimeister, 1988; Morgan, 1993; Platt, 2001; Bertelsen, 1987), and the reiterated statement that there is no neuro-scientific basis for any of NLP"'s claims, or any scientific support for its claimed efficacy (Thaler Singer and Lalich 1996; Drenth 2003; Lilienfeld et al 2003; Eisner 2000).

NLP has not attained sufficient scientific support and as such it is considered inappropriate for thorough clinical studies (Eisner 2000), and due to general disillusionment with NLP it’s mention in psychotherapy journals and books is becoming increasingly rare (Efran and Lukens 1990).

There are also scientific explanations for why some people perceive some aspects of NLP to work sometimes. This can be due to the placebo effect, social pressure, superficial symptomatic rather than core treatment, distortion of fact through beliefs change misrepresenting the value in the treatment, and overestimating some apparent successes while ignoring, downplaying, or explaining away failures (Beyerstein 1997).

NLP's claim to science

As with other pseudoscientific subjects, NLP associates itself with science in order to raise its own prestige (Beyerstein 1991). Grinder claims that NLP is both an art and a science (Grinder 2003) and many NLP promoters and advertisers continue to call the originators "scientists" and to use such terms as "Science" to promote their ideas, "technology", and "hi-tech psychology" in order to sell NLP (Thaler Singer & Lalich, 1996). Grinder more recently has been promoting the epistemological side of NLP in contrast with its methodological and technological aspects.

NLP advocates attempt to associate NLP with great minds such as Einstein (Grinder & Delozier, 1987), and to imply extraordinary efficacy. Einsteinian thought supports Hume's dictum: "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence", though NLP promoters have failed to provide normal scientific evidence for efficacy or validity.

Psychological modeling distinguishes constructs or factors, it makes considerable effort to measure the existence and strength of the parts of the model, and takes great care to measure the distinct association between each proposed construct (Michie et al, 2005) and this contrasts sharply with NLP as NLP promoters make no attempt to fulfill these requirements. "NLP modeling" (of patterns of excellence, based on high-performance models) cannot be verified through statistical methods (Carrol 2003). According to science, without verification through statistical/psychological methods the techniques developed from patterns may have nothing to do with the patterns or their source models (Carroll, 2003).

The psycholinguist view is that "NLP is not informed about linguistics literature, it is based on vague insights that were out of date long ago, their linguistics concepts are not properly construed or are mere fabrications, and conclusions are based upon the wrong premises. NLP theory and practice has nothing to do with neuroscientific insights or linguistics, nor with informatics or theories of programming. NLP developers are not interested in the question as to how neurological processes take place, or in serious research" (Levelt 1995).

Therefore, according to science, NLP promotes methods which are false, inaccurate or ineffective (Bleimeister, 1988; Morgan, 1993; Platt, 2001), and develops techniques which may have nothing to do with either the models or the sources of the "models" and makes claims about thinking and perception which do not seem to be supported by neuroscience (Carroll, 2003) (Platt, 2001) (Druckman & Swets, 1988; Bertelsen, 1987).

NLP as a pseudoscience

NLP has been classed as a pseudoscientific self help development (Lilienfeld et al 2003) (Williams et al 2000; Levelt 1995; Drenth 2003), who each also put it in the same mould as EST and Dianetics. This is in part due to the fact that the reviews of research on NLP have not supported either the assumptions of NLP or the efficacy (Thaler Singer & Lalich, 1996), but the NLP community continues to claim their assumptions and methods are powerful, relying only on testimonials and anecdotal evidence to support their claims. NLP proponents are considered similar to proponents of Dianetics and EST. Dianetics and EST are considered pseudoscientific subjects.

NLP proponents appear to be resistant to subjecting their field to the scientific method.

Pseudoscience is prone to certain fallacies and characteristics. These can be; Overgeneral predictions, pseudoscientific experimentation, dogmatic adherence or recycling of de-validated claims (Winn and Wiggins 2001).

The characteristics of pseudoscience have been identified in NLP promotion. The characteristics of pseudoscience are (Lilienfeld et al 2003) :

  • The use of obscurantist language and psycho-babble (eg metaprograms, parapragmatics, sub-modalities etc)
  • The absence of connectivity (Levelt 1995)
  • Over-reliance on testimonial and anecdotal evidence
  • An overuse of ad hoc hypotheses designed to immunize claims from falsification
  • Emphasis on confirmation rather refutation (eg reliance on asking how rather than why)
  • Absence of boundary conditions
  • The mantra of holism
  • Evasion of peer review
  • Reversed burden of proof (away from those making claim, and towards those testing the claim).

Pseudoscientific arguments tend to contain several or all of these factors, as can be seen in this example that shows ad hoc hypotheses and holistic argument as an attempt to explain away the negative findings, and an emphasis on confirmation and reversed burden of proof etc.

Criticism of NLP

The criticism of NLP from psychologists, management scholars, linguists, psychotherapists and cult awareness groups, include inconsistency, ethical questions, cult-like characteristics, promotion of unwarranted claims, and ineffectiveness (see science section for pseudoscientific and unscientific information).

The British Psychological Society classes NLP as "quintessential charlatanry" (Parker 1999). Most evidence used by NLP practitioners to promote the use of NLP appears to be unsubstantiated, uncorroborated or entirely anecdotal (Platt 2001).

Unethical use of NLP processes

Ethical concerns of manipulation using NLP processes has been raised. NLP processes are intended for change work, and when used as a set of techniques directed towards specific goals, can become mechanistic ("this is how to do that") or manipulative ("this is how to make someone do something").

NLP Processes can be used with or without consideration for the subject (no 'ecology'). In fields such as sales, there is said to be little or no long term focus, and more an effort to get the 'customer' to buy. For example, the salesperson could either:

  1. Influence the customer to want (and buy) whichever product they want to sell
  2. Elicit what the customer wants, including their intentions, to work out if they have a product that suites the customers needs.

The 1st option may seem easier for a quick sale, but gives no importance to the longer term consequences (for the salesperson or the customer). Similar concerns have been raised over NLP patterns being used in "speed seduction" (see Ross Jeffries and David DeAngelo) and 'optional' concern for the person being 'seduced'.

Therapy and coaching fields usually require an ethical code of conduct (eg: Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia Ethical Guidelines). The principle of Ecology in NLP covers many ethical considerations - this includes exploring a subject's wishes, and ensuring that any changes do not have a negative effect on a subject's long term wellbeing. However, ecology does not cover all ethical considerations, and few NLP trainings teach a specific code of ethics for the fields a student might apply NLP to (for instance, if you see an NLP practitioner, you may wish to ask them if the session is confidential).

"Ethical standards bodies and other professional associations state that unless a technique, process, drug, or surgical procedure can meet requirements of clinical tests, it is ethically questionable to offer it to the public, especially if money is to change hands" (Beyerstein 1997). NLP claims are as yet unsubstantiated and the efficacy has not been psychologically proven by NLP practitioners.

In general, it is unethical to use an NLP process to influence people without regarding their outcomes (Seitz and Cohen 1992). Some of the following sections also include ethical concerns.

NLP and new age remedies

NLP is often criticised as having spiritual & new age connections. This includes practitioners attempting to model spiritual experiences within and outside of trainings. Also, some people who sell psychic services such as remote viewing or remote seduction, sometimes promote a connection with NLP.

NLP is sometimes sold in combination with shamanic methods of magic (by Richard Bandler) or Huna (by Tad James). Bandler often used anecdotes about the occult in his workshops and large group awareness training LGAT seminars (Hall & Belnap, 1999). Dilts has modeled Jesus of Nazareth. Although NLP has been found to be largely ineffective, the general behavior of NLP advocates is one of wishful thinking and passing the buck which is characteristic of quick fix schemes (Singer & Lalich, 1996).

NLP and cult characteristics

NLP has been associated with modern day cults (Tippet, 1994) (Langone, 1993; Singer 2003), it is seen as an intrinsic part of modern ritual mind control tactics (Crabtree, 2002) and NLP has even been monitored by the Cult Awareness Network (Shupe & Darnell, 2000) and appears on some lists of cults (Howell, 2001). NLP is said to promote an "almost evangelical fervour" which makes practitioners unreceptive or even unprepared to countenance scientific reviews of NLP (Platt 2001).

The presuppositions of NLP create a background for reduced resistance in the guise of empowerment for the devotees. The presuppositional beliefs; in no fixed reality, positive intention regardless of negative action, and communication being the result of communication, leads to a fertile ground for manipulation on the part of cult leaders.

NLP has belief systems and social control methods. Certain cults use these in combination with the occult and pseudoscience to claim modern day miracles and induce dependence and compliance on the part of the cult's victims. NLP hypnotic techniques are used by both mild cults and very aggressive cults to induce dependence on the cult, and to further provide conditioning to induce compliance within the cult (Langone, 1993). NLP has resistance reducing mind control aspects. These are only effective in combination with the usual high social pressure, threats, and authority control used within cults or similar social situations, and make the victim passive and controllable. It is said that NLP is attractive to cult leaders due to its strong marketing push towards "the unfair advantage" (Langone, 1993). New Age philosophies are compatible with the occult mindset of cult acolytes and leaders (Barrett 1997), and NLP is said to share these.

Even NLP training programs used in the business sector have received complaints of undue and forced adoption of fundamental beliefs, intense confrontational psychological techniques, and coercion through NLP. Aside from complaining that they were being put through programs tantamount to a forced religious conversion, employees also objected to specific techniques being used including intense confrontational sessions (Thaler Singer 1995).

Extraordinary Claims

Numerous extraordinary and unsupported claims have been made by some NLP promoters.

In "The Charismatic Kid: Tony Robbins", the authors refer to statements such as "it's not uncommon for the turnaround on a phobia such as heights or spiders to be under 10 minutes" and that you can "make someone fall in love with you in 5 minutes" (Griffin & Goldsmith, 1985, p. 41). Anthony Robbins has also claimed that through neurolinguistic programming (NLP), clinicians can "cure people of tumors and long-standing psychological problems", and that NLP also has allowed him to "make a woman have an orgasm without touching her," and even "bring a person who was brain-dead back to life" (Leikind & McCarthy, 1991). Also, Bandler has claimed that he taught a novice woman martial artist how to beat an experienced martial artist by slowing down her perception of time (Bandler 1993. p105).

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Critical view of NLP and pseudoscience

Dubious treatments such as hypnotic breast enhancement and penis enlargement often advertise NLP as part of their technique.

Issues with buzzwords and trademarks

NLP's existing patterns, processes and jargon are modified and rebranded for promotional purposes, which is considered a pseudoscientific practice. Motivational speaker Anthony Robbins, for example, uses NLP technology under the banner "neuroassociative conditioning" and promotes using gimmicks such as firewalking as explained by the humourist Dave Barry . Some terms or buzzwords, are invented such as anchoring (similar to conditioning), and embedded commands, which are actually more accurately described as hypnotic suggestions. Some terms are used completely out of context from their originally intended areas such as applied psychology and linguistics.

Many trainers and authors still use the generic term NLP (eg: Robert Dilts, Steve Andreas), though several others promote NLP under a different name while still referring to NLP:

"NLP has been marketed to the general public using a broad brush approach to solutions" (Carroll, 2003), and adopts conveniently broad and simple terms, popular psychology, and pseudoscience and myths about the brain to promote its claims (Drenth 2003). NLP lacks a coherent theory that would explain its terminology and mechanisms of action; it uses anecdotal stories and testimonials as "evidence", while lacks empirical support. NLP is said to have many characteristics of other pseudosciences: scientific-sounding jargon, reliance on anecdotal evidence, unsubstantiated claims of rapid cures, absence of a sound theoretical basis, and over-promotion for financial gains (Krugman et al 1985). Nevertheless, the extended addition of pseudoscientific buzzwords and anecdotal promotion suggests that it will continue to operate on a commercial scale, with a disregard for objective proof of its proposed assumptions or claimed effectiveness.

References

See Neuro-linguistic programming: Bibliography for a fuller list of Books and articles not directly referenced on this page.

  • . ISBN 0688146198. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • Bandler, R. (1993) Time for a change. . Publisher Cupertino, Calif. : Meta Publications.
  • Barrett, D. (1997) Sects, Cults and Alternative Religions: A World Survey and Sourcebook. Pub Blandford.
  • . ISBN 08314-0044-7. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • . ISBN 091699001X. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • . ISBN 0911226192. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • . ISBN 0226039056. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
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  • Beyerstein. B.L. (1997) Why Bogus Therapies Seem to Work. Skeptical Inquirer magazine. September/October 1997
  • Beyerstein, B. (2001). Fringe psychotherapies: The public at risk. The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine, 5, 70-79.
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  • Bradbury, A (1997) NLP for business success. Kogan Page.
  • Robert Todd Carroll, Robert T. Carroll (2003) The Skeptic's Dictionary Publisher: Wiley; The Skeptic's Dictionary: neuro-linguistic programming (NLP).
  • . ISBN 0-9717223-0-7. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
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  • Brothers B.J. (1992) Spirituality and couples : heart and soul in the therapy process New York : Haworth Press.
  • Clarkson, P, Mackewn, J SAGE Publications

Fritz Perls (Key Figures in Counselling) (1993)  ? ISBN: 0803984537

  • Crabtree, Vexen (2002). Ritual Mind Control Tactics. Retrieved August 28, 2005.
    See about Vexen Crabtree Retrieved 28 Aug 2005
  • Christopher, P. (2004) New Religions: A Guide : New Religious Movements, Sects and Alternative Spiritualities. Oxford University Press ISBN: 0195220420
  • Derks and Hollander (1998) Systemic Voodoo. Isbn 1907388896
  • Derks, L. & Goldblatt, R.,(1985) The Feedforward Conception of Consciousness: A Bridge between Therapeutic Practice and Experimental Psychology. The William James Foundation, Amsterdam.
  • . ISBN 0-9701540-0-3. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help) Two volumes, 1600 pages of "history, biography & related knowledge the steps to techniques and procedures".
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  • . ISBN 0916990265. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • Dilts, R. (1998) Modeling With Nlp M E T a Publications ISBN: 0916990419
  • . ISBN -. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • Drenth, J.D. (2003) Growing anti-intellectualism in Europe; a menace to science. Studia Psychologica, 2003, 45, 5-13
  • . ISBN 0309037921. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
    See On-line edition pages 138-149. Retrieved 25 Aug 2005
  • Efran, J S. Lukens M.D. (1990) Language, structure, and change: frameworks of meaning in psychotherapy / New York : W.W. Norton
  • Eisner, D. A. (2000). The death of psychotherapy: From Freud to alien abductions. Westport, CT: Praeger.
  • Gallo, F, (2001) Energy Psychology in Psychotherapy. Norton and Company publishers.
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  • Griffin, N., & Goldsmith, L. (1985, March). The charismatic kid: Tony Robbins, 25, gets rich peddling a hot self-help program. Life, 8, 41-46.
  • . ISBN 1555520227. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
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    See
  • . ISBN 1555520227. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • . ISBN 0831400498. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • . ISBN 1899836225. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
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  • Hall, M (2001) The Spirit of NLP. Crown House Publishing ISBN: 1899836047
  • . ISBN 0709947798. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • Heap,M. (1989) Neurolinguistic programming: What is the evidence? In D Waxman D. Pederson. I, Wilkie, and P Mellett(Eds) Hypnosis: The fourth european congress at Oxford (pp 118-124) London. Whurr Publishers.
  • Howell, Tom (2001). Cults and Small Religions. Retrieved August 29, 2005.
  • Krugman, Kirsch, Wickless, Milling, Golicz, & Toth (1985). Neuro-linguistic programming treatment for anxiety: Magic or myth? Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology. Vol 53(4), 526-530.
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  • James T, Shephard. D, (2001) Presenting Magically: Transforming Your Stage Presence with NLP Crown House Publishing ISBN: 1899836527
  • Joyce, T, (1989) Gnosis no 12, Hubbards Ladder. Pub Chichester.
  • Lakin, D. (2000) The Unfair Advantage: Sell with NLP! (Paperback) Lakin Associates ISBN: 0967916208
  • Leikind, B. J., & McCarthy, W. J. (1991). An investigation of firewalking. In K. Frazier (Ed.)., The hundredth monkey and other paradigms of the paranormal (pp.182-193). Buffalo, NY
  • Levelt W. (1995) Hoedt u voor Neuro-Linguistisch Programmeren! Intermediair 17 Nov pp113
  • Scott O. Lilienfeld, Steven Jay Lynn, and Jeffrey M. Lohr (Eds.) (2003) Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology. Guilford Press, New York. ISBN: 1-57230-282-1,.
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    See Dylan Morgan bio Retrieved 25 Aug 2005 and Scientific Assessment of NLP Retrieved 24 Aug 2005.
  • Novopashin. A. (2004) "Totalitarian Sects and the Democratic State. "International Conference in Novosibirsk: 9-11 November 2004
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  • . ISBN Aquarian Press1855383446. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
  • Overdurf, J, Silverthorn, J (1995) Training Trances: Multi-Level Communication in Therapy and Training Metamorphous Press; 3rd edition ISBN: 1555520693
  • Parker, I. (1999) Annual Review of Critical Psychology.

Vol. 1, pp. 3-18 (ISSN: 1464-0538)

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    See NLP - Neuro Linguistic Programming or No Longer Plausible? Retrieved 24 Aug 2005.
  • Raso. J. (1994) "Alternative" Healthcare: A Comprehensive Guide. Prometheus Books. ISBN: 0879758910
  • Sala, S.D, editor (1999) Mind Myths. Exploring Popular Assumptions About the Mind and Brain. Wiley.
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  • Seitz, V A., Cohn, W A. (1992) Using the Psychology of Influence in Job Interviews. Business Forum. Los Angeles: Summer 1992.Vol.17, Iss. 3; pg. 14, 4 pgs
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  • Schacter.D (1997) Searching for Memory: The Brain, the Mind, and the Past Publisher: Basic Books; (1997) ISBN: 0465075525
  • Sinclair. J. (1992) An ABC of NLP. Publisher: Self-published (ASPEN) ISBN: 0951366017
  • Squires. S. (1988) The Pentagon's Twilight Zone. The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. : Apr 17, 1988
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  • . ISBN 0787967416. {{cite book}}: Missing or empty |title= (help); Unknown parameter |Author= ignored (|author= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Publisher= ignored (|publisher= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Title= ignored (|title= suggested) (help); Unknown parameter |Year= ignored (|year= suggested) (help)
    See Margaret Singer and Excerpts from 'Cults in Our Midst' Retrieved 25 Aug 2005
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  • Tippet, Gary (3 Apr 1994). "Inside the cults of mind control". {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |org= ignored (help) Retrieved 28 Aug 2005
  • Valentino, A (1999) Personality Selling : Using NLP and the Enneagram to Understand People and How They Are Influenced Vantage Point Publishing ISBN: 0966773233
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  • Williams,W F. general editor.(2000) Encyclopedia of pseudoscience /

Publisher Facts On File New York.

  • Winn, C.M , and Wiggins,A.W (2001) QUANTUM LEAPS..in the wrong direction: Where real science ends and pseudoscience begins. Joseph Henry Press.

See also

Developers

(*)Grinder & Bandler are considered the co-creators/co-originators of NLP.

People that NLP claims to have developed and borrowed from

External links

Categories: