View source for Methods of neuro-linguistic programming

{{short description|Pseudo-scientific intellectual framework}}
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The '''methods of neuro-linguistic programming''' are the specific techniques used to perform and teach [[neuro-linguistic programming]],<ref name="Thyer">{{Cite book |title=Science and Pseudoscience in Social Work Practice |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nE9FCQAAQBAJ&q=nlp&pg=PA166 |publisher=Springer Publishing Company |date=2015-05-15 |isbn=9780826177698 |first1=Bruce A. |last1=Thyer |first2=Monica G. |last2=Pignotti |pages=56–57, 165–167 |quote=As NLP became more popular, some research was conducted and reviews of such research have concluded that there is no scientific basis for its theories about representational systems and eye movements.}}</ref><ref name="Sharpley 1987">
{{cite journal|last=Sharpley |first=Christopher F. |title=Research findings on neurolinguistic programming: Nonsupportive data or an untestable theory? |journal=Journal of Counseling Psychology |date=1 January 1987 |volume=34 |issue=1 |pages=103–107 |doi=10.1037/0022-0167.34.1.103 |url=http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?nfpb=true&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ352101&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&objectId=0900000b8005c1ac|url-access=subscription }}</ref> which teaches that people are only able to directly perceive a small part of the world using their conscious awareness, and that this view of the world is filtered by experience, beliefs, values, assumptions, and biological sensory systems. NLP argues that people act and feel based on their perception of the world and how they feel about that world they subjectively experience.

NLP claims that language and behaviors (whether functional or dysfunctional) are highly structured, and that this structure can be '[[model|modeled]]' or copied into a reproducible form.<ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1979">{{cite book |last1=Bandler |first1=R. |last2=Grinder |first2=J. |title=Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming |location=Moab, UT |publisher=Real People Press |year=1979 |pages=15, 24, 30, 45, 52, 149 |isbn=0-911226-19-2 |url=https://archive.org/details/frogsintoprinces00band_0/page/149 }}</ref> Using NLP a person can 'model' the more successful parts of their own behavior in order to reproduce it in areas where they are less successful or 'model' another person to effect belief and behavior changes to improve functioning. If someone excels in some activity, it can be [[Modeling (NLP)|learned]] how specifically they do it by observing certain important details of their behavior.<ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1975a">{{cite book |last1=Bandler |first1=Richard |last2=Grinder |first2=John |title=The Structure of Magic I: A Book About Language and Therapy |location=Palo Alto, CA |publisher=Science & Behavior Books |year=1975 |isbn= 0-8314-0044-7}}</ref> NLP embodies several techniques, including hypnotic techniques, which proponents claim can affect changes in the way people think, learn and communicate.<ref name="Dilts et al. 1980">{{cite book |last1=Dilts |first1=R.B. |last2=Grinder |first2=J. |last3=Bandler |first3=R. |last4=DeLozier |first4=J. A. |title=Neuro-Linguistic Programming |volume=I: The Study of the Structure of Subjective Experience |publisher=Meta Publications |year=1980 |isbn=0-916990-07-9 |pages=3–4 |url=https://archive.org/details/neurolinguisticp01dilt |url-access=registration}}</ref>
{{Neuro-linguistic programming|expanded=topics}}
==Internal 'maps' of the world==
NLP claims that our mind-body (neuro) and what we say (language) all interact together to form our perceptions of the world, or maps (programming) and that said map of the world determines feelings and behavior.

As an approach to personal development or therapy it claims that people create their own internal 'map' or world, recognizing unhelpful or destructive patterns of thinking based on impoverished maps of the world, then modifying or replacing these patterns with more useful or helpful ones. There is also an emphasis on ways to change internal representations or maps of the world with the intent of increasing behavioral flexibility.<ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1979" /><ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1975a" /><ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1983">{{cite book |last1=Bandler |first1=Richard |last2=Grinder |first2=John |title=Reframing: Neurolinguistic programming and the transformation of meaning |editor-last1=Andreas |editor-first1=Steve |editor-last2=Andreas |editor-first2=Connirae |location=Moab, UT |publisher=Real People Press |year=1983 |pages=appendix II, p.171 |isbn=0-911226-24-9 |lccn=82-16609}}</ref>

==Modeling==
{{See also|Modeling (psychology)}}
"Modeling" in NLP is the process of adopting the behaviors, language, strategies and beliefs of another person or exemplar in order to 'build a model of what they do.
The original models were: [[Milton Erickson]] ([[hypnotherapy]]), [[Virginia Satir]] ([[family therapy]]), and [[Fritz Perls]] ([[gestalt therapy]]). NLP modeling methods are designed to unconsciously assimilate the tacit knowledge to learn what the master is doing of which the master is not aware. As an approach to learning it can involve modeling exceptional people.<ref name="Jacobson 1994">Jacobson, S. (1994)  Info-line: practical guidelines for training and development professionals, ''American Society For Training and Development'' Alexandria, VA. [http://sidjacobson.com/institute/history.html Adapted version available online] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610030957/http://www.sidjacobson.com/institute/history.html |date=2007-06-10 }}</ref> As Bandler and Grinder state "the function of NLP modeling is to arrive at descriptions which are useful."<ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1979"/>{{ufs|date=November 2017}} Einspruch & Forman 1985 state that "when modeling another person the modeler suspends his or her own beliefs and adopts the structure of the physiology, language, strategies, and beliefs of the person being modeled. After the modeler is capable of behaviorally reproducing the patterns (of behavior, communication, and behavioral outcomes) of the one being modeled, a process occurs in which the modeler modifies and readopts his or her own belief system while also integrating the beliefs of the one who was modeled."<ref name="Einspruch & Forman 1985">{{cite journal |last1=Einspruch |first1=Eric L. |last2=Forman |first2=Bruce D. |title=Observations Concerning Research Literature on Neuro-Linguistic Programming |journal=Journal of Counseling Psychology |year=1985 |volume=32 |pages=589–596 |doi=10.1037/0022-0167.32.4.589 |issue=4}}</ref> Modeling is not confined to therapy, but can be, and is, applied to a broad range of human learning. Another aspect of modeling is understanding the patterns of one's own behaviors in order to 'model' the more successful parts of oneself.

==Representational systems==
{{main|Representational systems (NLP)}}
The notion that experience is processed by the sensory systems or representational systems, was incorporated into NLP from psychology and gestalt therapy shortly after its creation.<ref name="Bandler & Grinder 1979"/> This teaches that people perceive the world through the senses and store the information from the senses in the mind. Memories are closely linked to sensory experience. When people are processing information they see images and hear sounds and voices and process this with internally created feelings. Some representations are within conscious awareness but information is largely processed at the unconscious level. When involved in any task, such as making conversation, describing a problem in therapy, reading a book, kicking a ball or riding a horse, their representational systems, consisting of [[Visual thinking|images]], [[sound]]s, [[kinesthetic|feelings]] (and possibly [[olfactory|smell]] and [[gustatory|taste]]) are being activated at the same time.<ref name="Druckman & Swets 1998">{{cite book |editor-first1=Daniel |editor-last1=Druckman |editor-first2=John A. |editor-last2=Swets |year=1988 |title=Enhancing Human Performance: Issues, Theories, and Techniques |publisher=National Academy Press |location=Washington, DC |url=https://archive.org/details/enhancinghumanpe0000unse_o9c9 |isbn=0-309-03787-5}}</ref>{{synthesis inline|date=September 2017}} Moreover, the way representational systems are organised and the links between them impact on behavioral performance. Many NLP techniques rely on interrupting maladaptive patterns{{clarify|date=September 2017}} and replacing them with more positive and creative thought patterns which will in turn impact on behavior.<ref name="Cooper and Seal 2006">{{cite book |last1=Cooper |last2=Seal |year=2006 |chapter=Theory and Approaches - Eclectic-integrative approaches: Neuro-linguistic programming |editor-last1=Feldtham |editor-last2=Horton |title=The SAGE Handbook of Counselling and Psychotherapy |edition=2nd}}</ref>

;Preferred representational systems
Originally, NLP taught that most people had an internal preferred representational system (PRS) and preferred to process information primarily in one sensory modality.{{Citation needed|date=August 2017}} The practitioner could ascertain this from external cues such as the direction of eye movements, posture, breathing, voice tone and the use of sensory-based predicates. If a person repeatedly used predicates such as "I can ''see'' a ''bright'' future for myself", the words "see" and "bright" would be considered visual predicates. In contrast "I can feel that we will be comfortable" would be considered primarily kinesthetic because of the predicates "feel" and "comfortable". These verbal cues could also be coupled with posture changes, skin color or breathing shifts. The theory was that the practitioner by matching and working within the preferred representational system could achieve better communication with the client and hence swifter and more effective results. Many trainings and standard works still teach PRS<ref name="OConnor & Seymour 2002">{{cite book |first1=Joseph |last1=O'Connor |first2=John |last2=Seymour |title=Introducing NLP |location=London |publisher=Thorsons |year=2002 |orig-year=1990 |url=https://archive.org/details/introducingnlpps00jose |isbn=1-85538-344-6 |access-date=2007-04-30 |edition=revised }}</ref>

Although there is some research that supports the notion that eye movements can indicate visual and auditory (but not kinesthetic) components of thought in that moment,<ref name="Buckner 1987">{{cite journal |last1=Buckner |first1=M. |last2=Meara |first2=N. M. |last3=Reese |first3=E. J. |last4=Reese |first4=M. |year=1987 |title=Eye movement as an indicator of sensory components in thought |journal=Journal of Counseling Psychology |volume=34 |issue=3 |pages=283–287 |doi=10.1037/0022-0167.34.3.283}}</ref> the existence of a preferred representational system ascertainable from external cues (an important part of original NLP theory) was discounted by research in the 1980s.<ref name="Sharpley 1984">{{cite journal |last=Sharpley |first=C. F. |year=1984 |title=Predicate matching in NLP: A review of research on the preferred representational system |journal=Journal of Counseling Psychology |volume=31 |issue=2 |pages=238–248|doi=10.1037/0022-0167.31.2.238 }}</ref><ref name="Heap 1988">{{cite book |last=Heap |first=M. |chapter=Neurolinguistic Programming - An Interim Verdict|editor-first=M. |editor-last=Heap |title=Hypnosis: Current Clinical, Experimental and Forensic Practices |location=London |publisher=Croom Helm |year=1988 |url=http://www.surenkolkankar.com/wp-content/uploads/nlp1.pdf}}</ref><ref name="Elich 1985">{{cite journal |last1=Elich |first1=M. |last2=Thompson |first2=R. W. |last3=Miller |first3=L. |year=1985 |url=http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ327573&ERICExtSearch_SearchType_0=eric_accno&objectId=0900000b800561ca |title=Mental imagery as revealed by eye movements and spoken predicates: A test of neurolinguistic programming |journal=Journal of Counseling Psychology |volume=32 |issue=4 |pages=622–625|doi=10.1037/0022-0167.32.4.622 |url-access=subscription }} note: "psychological fad" p. 625</ref>

;Submodalities
Submodalities are the fine details of representational systems. For example, the submodalities of sight include light/dark, colour/monochrome, sharp/blurred.<ref>Beale, M. NLP Techniques: Senses and Submodalities https://www.nlp-techniques.org/what-is-nlp/senses-submodalities/</ref> Submodalities involve the relative size, location, brightness of internal images, the volume and direction of internal voices and sounds, and the location, texture, and movement of internally created sensations.<ref name="Tosey & Mathison 2003">Tosey, P. Jane Mathison (2003) Neuro-linguistic Programming and learning theory: a response ''The Curriculum Journal'' Vol.14 No.3 p.371-388 See also (available online): [http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/00003319.htm Neuro-linguistic programming: its potential for learning and teaching in formal education]</ref>  A typical change process may involve manipulating the submodalities of internal representations.<ref>Landsiedel, S. [https://www.landsiedel.com/en/nlp-library/submodalities.html "Working with Submodalities"]. landsiedel.com/en/</ref> For example, someone may see their future as 'dark and cloudy' with associated emotions, but would seek through NLP to perceive, and feel it, as 'light and clear'. Other training exercises develop a person's ability to move around internal images, change the quality of sounds and find out how these affect the intensity of internal feelings or other submodalities. Although NLP did not discover submodalities, it appears that the proponents of NLP may have been the first to systematically use manipulation of submodalities for therapeutic or personal development purposes, particularly phobias, compulsions and addictions.<ref name="Dilts & Delozier 2000">{{cite book | last = Dilts | first =  Robert B |author2=DeLozier, Judith A | title = Encyclopedia of Systemic Neuro-Linguistic Programming and NLP New Coding | publisher = NLP University Press |year= 2000  | url = http://www.nlpuniversitypress.com/ | isbn = 0-9701540-0-3}}</ref>{{unreliable fringe source|date=September 2017}}

==Meta-programs==

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) uses the term 'meta-programs' specifically to indicate general, pervasive and usually habitual patterns used by an individual across a wide range of situations.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} Examples of NLP meta-programs include the preference for overview or detail, the preference for where to place one's attention during conversation, habitual linguistic patterns and [[body language]], and so on.

Related concepts in other disciplines are known as [[cognitive styles]] or thinking styles.

In NLP, the term ''programs'' is used as a synonym for ''strategy'', which are specific sequences of mental steps, mostly indicated by their representational activity (using [[Representational systems (NLP)|VAKOG]]), leading to a behavioral outcome. In the entry for the term ''strategy'' in their encyclopedia, [[Robert Dilts]] & Judith Delozier explicitly refer to the mind as computer metaphor:
{{quote|A strategy is like a program in a computer. It tells you what to do with the information you are getting, and like a computer program, you can use the same strategy to process a lot of different kinds of information.}}
In their encyclopedia, Dilts and Delozier then define metaprograms as
{{quote|[programs] which guide and direct other thought processes. Specifically they define common or typical patterns in the strategies or thinking styles of a particular individual, group or culture.}}

==Techniques==

===Anchoring===
NLP teaches that we constantly make "anchors" ([[classical conditioning]]) between what we see, hear and feel; and our emotional states. While in an emotional state if a person is exposed to a unique stimulus (sight, sound or touch), then a connection is made between the emotion and the unique stimulus. If the unique stimulus occurs again, the emotional state will then be triggered. NLP teaches that anchors (such as a particular touch associated with a memory or state) can be deliberately created and triggered to help people access 'resourceful' or other target states.<ref name="Krugman 1985">Krugman, Martin, ''et al.'' "Neuro-linguistic programming treatment for anxiety: Magic or myth?" ''[[Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology]]''. August 1985, Vol. 53(4) pp. 526–530.</ref>

===Future pacing===
A technique of asking a person to [[Feedforward, Behavioral and Cognitive Science|imagine doing something in the future]] and monitoring their reactions. It is typically used to check that a change process has been successful, by observing body language when the person imagines being in a difficult situation before and after an intervention. If the [[body language]] is the same, then the [[Intervention (counseling)|intervention]] has not been successful.

===Swish===
The swish pattern is a process that is designed to disrupt a pattern of thought from one that used to lead to an unwanted behavior to one that leads to a desired behavior. This involves visualizing a 'cue' which leads into the unwanted behavior, such as a smokers hand moving towards the face with a cigarette in it, and reprogramming the mind to 'switch' to a visualization of the desired outcome, such as a healthy-looking person, energetic and fit. In addition to visualization, auditory sound effects are often imagined to enhance the experience.<ref name="Masters et al. 1991">{{cite journal|author1=Masters, B|author2=Rawlins, M|author3=Rawlins, L|author4=Weidner, J|year=1991|title=The NLP swish pattern: An innovative visualizing technique|journal=Journal of Mental Health Counseling|volume=13|issue=1|pages=79–90}}</ref>

===Reframing===
Another technique, "reframing" functions through "changing the way you perceive an event and so changing the meaning.  When the meaning changes, responses and behaviors will also change. Reframing with language allows you to see the world in a different way and this changes the meaning. Reframing is the basis of jokes, myths, legends, fairy tales and most creative ways of thinking."<ref name="Joseph O'Connor">{{cite book|
first= Joseph | last= O'Connor|title=NLP: A Practical Guide to Achieving the Results You Want: Workbook|publisher=Harper Collins|year=2001}}</ref> There are examples in children's literature; for example, the fictional [[Pollyanna]] would play [[The Glad Game]] whenever she felt down about life, to remind herself of the things that she could do, and not worry about the things she couldn't. Alice Mills also says that this occurs in [[Hans Christian Andersen]]'s story where, to the surprise of the [[ugly duckling]], the beautiful creatures welcome and accept him; gazing at his reflection, he sees that he too is a swan.<ref name="Mills 1999">{{cite book| first= Alice | last= Mills |title=Pollyanna and the not so glad game |publisher=Storrs|year=1999|pages=87, 18}}</ref> Reframing is common to a number of therapies and is not original to NLP.<ref name="Sharpley 1987"/>{{rp|103–107, 105}}

===Well-formed outcome===
In NLP this is one of a number of 'frames' wherein the desired state is considered as to its achievability and effect if achieved. A positive outcome must be defined by the client for their own use, be within the clients power to achieve, retain the positive products of the unwanted behaviors and produce an outcome that is appropriate for all circumstances.<ref name="Dilts & Delozier 2000"/>

===VK/D===
VK/D stands for 'Visual/Kinesthetic Dissociation'. This is a technique designed to eliminate bad feelings associated with past events by re-running (like a film, sometimes in reverse) an associated memory in a [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociated]] state. It combines elements of Ericksonian techniques, spatial sorting processes from Fritz Perls, reframing and 'changing history' techniques.<ref name="Dilts & Delozier 2000"/>

;Metaphor

Largely derived from the ideas of Bateson and the techniques of Erickson, 'metaphor' in NLP ranges from simple figures of speech to allegories and stories. It tends to be used in conjunction with the skills of the Milton model to create a story which operates on many levels with the intention of communicating with the unconscious and to find and challenge basic assumptions.<ref name="OConnor & Seymour 2002"/><ref name="Dilts & Delozier 2000"/>

;State management
Sometimes called '''state control''', is a [[neuro-linguistic programming]] (NLP) technique involving actively trying to control the emotional and mental state of an individual. One method to actively achieve state management anchoring where an individual associates a particular physical [[stimulation|stimulus]].

===Covert hypnosis===
{{Main|Covert hypnosis}}
Covert hypnosis is purportedly a method of using language patterns to hypnotise or persuade other people. Referred to as "sleight of mouth" by [[Robert Dilts]].<ref name="Dilts 1999">{{cite book|author=Dilts, Robert|year=1999|title=Sleight of Mouth: The Magic of Conversational Belief Change|publisher=Meta Publications |isbn=0-916990-43-5}}</ref> building off the phrase "[[sleight of hand]]", which refers to a magician's skills in making things happen which appear impossible.

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

[[Category:Neuro-linguistic programming concepts and methods| ]]
[[Category:Neuro-linguistic programming]]