Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP): what is it and how does it work?

Today we discover what are the basics and applications of NLP.

It is easy for the concept of Neurolinguistic Programming What is it based on? When is it applied? Here are some key ideas to know what NLP is.

What is Neurolinguistic Programming?

Steve Bavister and Amanda Vickers (2014), define Neurolinguistic Programming as a communication model that focuses on identifying and using thought patterns that influence a person's behavior as a way to improve the quality and effectiveness of life.

One problem with NLP is the nature of its name, as when the term Neuro Linguistic Programming is mentioned to people who have never heard of it, the reaction is usually a bit negative. On the other hand, the name could suggest that we are dealing with empirical techniques derived from neuroscience, but there is no evidence of their efficacy.

Stephen Briers (2012), says that NLP is not really a coherent treatment, but "a hodgepodge of different techniques without a very clear theoretical basis". This author argues that the maxim of Neurolinguistic Programming is narcissistic, egocentric and dissociated from notions of responsibility.

Furthermore, he states that "sometimes we have to accept and mourn the death of our dreams, not just dismiss them occasionally as inconsequential. NLP reframing puts us in the role of a widower avoiding the Pain of grief by leaping into a relationship with a younger woman, without pausing to say a proper goodbye to his dead wife."

What is the focus of the Neurolinguistic Programming model?

The world is experienced through five senses: sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste. A lot of information comes to us continuously; we consciously and unconsciously eliminate what we do not want to pay attention to. we eliminate what we don't want to pay attention to.. We are told that the remaining information is based on our past experiences, values and beliefs. What we end up with is incomplete and inaccurate, as some of the general information has been eliminated, and the rest has been generalized or distorted.

What is NLP based on?

The most important thing to have a vision about what is Neurolinguistic Programming is to know that it is based on four fundamental aspects, which are known as the "four pillars", according to Steve Bavister and Amanda Vickers (2014).

1. Results

To achieve something, we talk about objectives, in NLP we use the term results. If there is a previous concentration on what is to be achieved, there will be a guide that will direct all the available resources of that person to the achievement of an objective.

2. Sensory acuity

Sensory acuity refers to the ability to observe or detect small details in order to be aware of what is happening around us. People vary greatly in their awareness of what they see, hear or feel. Some people are more observant of their surroundings, while others focus more on their own emotions and thoughts.

3. Behavioral flexibility

When you begin to know what your results are and use your sensory acuity to observe what is happening, the information you gain allows you to make adjustments in your behavior, if necessary. If your actions are not leading you in the direction you want to go, it is obvious that you should try to take another path or try something different, but many people lack that flexibility in behavior and simply insist on doing the same thing over and over again.

4. Rapport

Rapport could be considered as that component that brings people together. Most of the time it happens naturally, automatically, instinctively. Some people we meet seem to share our outlook on life, while there are others with whom we do not connect. The ability to empathize with other people must be improved in order to have more effective relationships.

The assumptions of Neurolinguistic Programming

Salvador Carrión (2008), refers that a presupposition is something we take for granted, without any proof. He tells us that Neurolinguistic Programming does not claim that the presuppositions are true, although there is quite palpable evidence to support many of them. I have tried to look for the "evidences" that support these presuppositions, but I have only found one explanation for each one of them.

Life, mind and body are a single system.

The mind and body are considered to be a single system, each directly influencing the other. For example, what happens inside your body affects your thoughts and will affect the people around you.

You can't stop communicating

The message we try to convey is not always the message that others receive. Therefore, NLP tells us that we must be aware of the reactions of others to see if our message has been successful. This can actually lead to serious difficulties when crafting a message, since focusing on reactions or being on alert for possible consequences is not something that will bring quality to the communication.

Underneath every behavior there is a positive intention

In an addiction or a bad behavior there is always a positive intention, therefore by finding the root of the problem and externalizing the positive intention, you can go from smoking for 15 years to not having that need.

If what you are doing is not working, do something else.

If you try one way of dealing with a problem and don't get the results you were hoping for, try something different, and keep varying your behavior until you get the answer you were looking for.

If one person can do something, everyone can learn to do it.

There is in NLP, the process of modeling excellence. If you want to get an article published, for example, you could look at someone who is brilliant at writing and imitate the way they do it. In this way, you will be soaking up valuable knowledge.

Criticisms of Newlinguistic Programming

Roderique-Davies (2009) asserts that using the word "neuro" in NLP is "effectively fraudulent since NLP offers no explanation at the neural level and it could be argued that its use feeds fallaciously on the notion of scientific credibility".

On the other hand, Devilly (2005), argues that the so-called "power therapies" gain popularity because they are promoted, like other pseudosciences, using a set of social influence tactics. These include making extraordinary claims such as, for example, "a cure in one session for any traumatic memory". These types of strategies are incredibly disproportionate and play with the health of many people who place their trust in professionals with a supposed preparation and ethics when developing their activity.

Finally, Borgo (2006) states that the few effective tools or more or less proven theories of Neurolinguistic Programming do not belong exclusively to him and what is new about it has not been empirically proven. has not been empirically proven. Moreover, what is new about it, either seems very simplistic, or contradicts what science says.

To learn more...

First of all, we suggest you a practical extension of the fundamental issues of NLP by reading this article:

"The 10 principles of NLP".

In this lecture, Javier Gil from the University of Vigo explains in detail more concepts and techniques linked to NLP.

Bibliographical references:

• Bavister, Steve, Vickers, Amanda. (2014). Neurolinguistic Programming.. Amat
• Borgo, A. J. (2006). Neurolinguistic Programming: The mirage for executives. The Skeptical Eye. http://www.elojoesceptico.com.ar/revistas/eoe06/eoe0605
• Briers, Steven. (2012). Exploding the myths of the Self-Help Generation.. Pearson
• Carrion, Salvador. (2008). NLP practitioner course: the new technique for change and success.. Obelisk
• Poffel, S. A., & Cross, H. J. (1985). Neurolinguistic programming: A test of the eye-movement hypothesis. Perceptual And Motor Skills, 61, 3, 1262.doi:10.2466/pms.1985.61.