NLP, which stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming, is a way of changing someone's thoughts and behavior to achieve the desired personal goals.
NLP is the practice of understanding how people process their thinking, feeling, language and behavior to produce the results they achieve. NLP provides people with a methodology to model outstanding performance achieved by geniuses and leaders in their field. NLP is also used for personal development and for success in business
Neuro-linguistic programming was developed in the 1970s at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Its main founders are John Grinder, a linguist, and Richard Bandler, an information scientist and mathematician.
This article explores the theory behind Neuro Linguistic Programming.
What is NLP?
Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a psychological approach in which strategies used by successful individuals are analyzed and applied to achieve a personal goal. It relates thoughts, language and behavioral patterns learned through experience to specific results.
NLP is a set of skills that reveal the type of communication that is most successful - inside and out.
For many it is enlightening to give a definition what the letters in NLP stand for;
Neuro: Refers to the mind or brain, particularly with regard to how states of mind (and body) affect communication and behavior. NLP teaches a structural way of viewing states of mind and body, by developing mental maps that show how things happen and how to change course.
Each individual has set up their own unique mental filtering system for processing the millions of bits of data absorbed by the senses. Our first mental map of the world consists of internal images, sounds, tactical awareness, internal sensations, tastes and smells that arise as a result of the neurological filtering process. The first mental map is called 'First Access' in NLP.
Linguistic: which means that our mind and body states are revealed in our language and non-verbal communication. Language is the tool we use to access the inner workings of the mind. Neuro-linguistic programming language patterns teach us to access unconscious information that would otherwise remain vague and unrecognizable.
Programming: this refers to the ability to change our mind and body states. You heard the term on autopilot, right? For someone trained, this would mean living according to your programming, which consists of habitual thoughts, feelings, reactions, beliefs and traditions.
Someone trained in neurolinguistic programming knows how such programs are structured in the mind and how to access them through conversation so that outdated programs and autopilot behaviors can be changed.
NLP uses perceptual, behavioral and communication techniques to make it easier for people to change their thoughts and actions.
How does neuro-linguistic programming work?
During conversations, most of us fixate on words. What does this person mean and what should I say in return? It has long been established that words are the least meaningful aspect of communication, conveying only 7% of the meaning.
For example, if someone tells you that he or she wants to help you organize a social gathering, but their voice is flat and it seems like you just invited them to an electric shock evening, it's clear that there is something else about the hand. Their words said YES, but the non-verbal communication - the other 93% - said otherwise.
What is Neurolinguistic Programming? The remaining 93% of the communication! It's a system for understanding and using the kind of communication that really matters. Master non-verbal communication and you will become a communication master!
Most people don't realize that communication is so much more than just interactions between people. There is a whole world of communication in your mind and body. Inner life - your mindset, attitude and feelings - is an active form of communication.
The main communication is not between people, but within people themselves.
Modeling, action and effective communication are key elements of neurolinguistic programming. The belief is that if one person can understand how another person is performing a task, the process can be copied and communicated to others so that 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 obtains information. Proponents of this mindset believe that the senses are essential for processing available information and that mind and body influence each other. Neuro-linguistic programming is an experiential approach. Therefore, if a person wants to understand an action, he must perform the very same action in order to learn from the experience.
NLP practitioners believe there are natural hierarchies of learning, communication and change. The six logical levels of change are:
- Purpose and Spirituality: This can be commitment to something bigger than yourself, such as religion, ethics or some other system. This is the highest level of change.
- Identity: Identity is the person you see for yourself and includes your responsibilities and the roles you play in life.
- Beliefs and Values: This is your personal belief system and the issues that are important to you.
- Capabilities and skills: these are your capabilities and what you can do.
- Behaviors: Behaviors are the specific actions that you perform.
- Environment: Your environment is your environment, including all other people around you. This is the lowest level of change.
The purpose of each logic level is to organize and direct the information underneath. As a result, making a change at a lower level can cause changes to a higher level. However, making a change at a higher level will also result in changes in the lower levels, according to NLP theory.
NLP IN THERAPY
A core concept of NLP can be summed up by the saying, “The personal map is not the territory,” as it emphasizes the differences between belief and reality. It indicates that each person operates from their own perspective and thoughts. NLP advocates believe that everyone's perception of the world is distorted, limited and unique. Therefore, a therapist practicing NLP must understand how a person being treated sees their “map” and the effect that perception can have on that person's thoughts and behavior.
A person's world map is formed from data received through the senses. This information can be auditory, visual, olfactory, tasteful, or kinesthetic. NLP practitioners believe that this information differs individually in terms of quality and importance, and that each person processes experiences using a primary representation system (PRS). In order for an NLP therapist to work effectively with a person in treatment, the therapist must try to match that person's PRS to use their personal map.
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 best serve them, and help them develop new strategies to replace unproductive systems. This process can help individuals in therapy achieve their treatment goals.
Proponents of NLP argue that the approach produces fast, lasting results and improves understanding of behavioral patterns. NLP also tries to build effective communication between conscious and unconscious mental processes to help people increase their creativity and problem-solving skills.
The NLP breakdown into inner communication
Inner communication is a strong point of neurolinguistic programming, originally known as the study of the structure of subjective experience. This is a nice way to say that NLP breaks down what goes on between your ears so that you can do something constructive with it. Here's a taste of how it works;
Suppose you have arranged to meet with friends to eat at your place and you are very tense. Everything seems fine, but you feel tense. An NLP practitioner could figure out how to create this tense state in a few moments. It's about how you communicate with yourself on the inside.
Inner communication consists of images, sounds and feelings. Figuring out what is causing your tense feelings is a matter of discovering which images and sounds match the tense feeling. If you turn your attention inward, looking at what you see and hear inside, you may find yourself imagining things about dinner:
- You see your house completely messy when the guests arrive.
- An inner voice that says, "They're not going to like your food."
- Watch with disgust on their faces as they eat.
- You're alone in your house because no one showed up.
The point is, you were probably not aware of all the inner channels of communication. If you feel tense about dinner, you probably imagine how bad it could go and react to these unconscious sights and sounds. The tense feelings are a mirror of the other channels.
This is why neurolinguistic programming claims that humans are not broken. We simply respond to inner communication whether we are aware of it or not. So imagining bad things happening at your dinner will make you feel tense. You work perfectly.
When you become aware of how to perfectly create a mindset that you don't want, you can change it. Neuro-linguistic programming offers a huge library of methods for changing our thinking once we have identified them. Transforming the inner communication so that you feel better is the programming aspect of NLP.
CONCERNS AND LIMITATIONS OF NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING
Partly due to its eclectic nature, Neuro Linguistic Programming is difficult to define as a treatment modality. Undoubtedly, the main limitation of NLP is a lack of empirical evidence to support the many important claims made by its proponents.
While the approach has been praised in numerous testimonials, there have been few scientific studies to date that provide solid, unbiased evidence that it is an effective treatment method for mental health problems.
In addition, the lack of regulations on training and certification has resulted in many people becoming NLP practitioners despite a lack of credible experience or a background in mental health.
Sources include; Pubmed.gov (link), What is Neurolinguistic Programming (link), holisticdrbright (link)
