Assessing NLP

7/28/2019 Assessing NLP

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ASSESSING NLP

Searching for a definition of NLP

NLP stands for Neuro Linguistic Programming. This should be self explanatory.Neuro refers to the mind and how it works, Linguistic refers to the language used

the way people express themselves and communicate their experience to others, and

Programming refers to the effect that language has on the mind and on behaviour.

In other words it is what was known in my day as Response to Suggestion.

NLP also stands for Natural Language Patterns, in other words, the aim of NLP is to

get inside a persons natural language, body and thought patterns and use this

knowledge to help them achieve their goal, or Well Formed Outcome. And it seems

that that is the essence of what NLP is all about.

Even within the NLP fraternity, there is often a divergence of opinion as to what

actually constitutes NLP, mainly because it represents such a varied collection oftheories and techniques. This is probably why people are always finding new thingsto do with NLP - in fact a lot of NLP practitioners like to refer to themselves as

experiential explorers. Many NLP experts spend lots of time searching for a UnifiedField Theory in much the same way astronomers and physicists have tried to do.

This would bring together all the subjects of psychology, psychoanalysis, hypnosis,spirituality etc. and give them the credibility they so desperately desire. It is unlikely

that this will ever happen, but at least it will keep them off the streets and out ofmischief.

Although originally the chief aim of NLP was the treatment of problems, in more

recent years it is being used more and more in the world of business and sport.

NLP is based on real life behaviour and its main aim is to help people get better atwhat they do, whether it is in a personal or professional capacity; whether it is to

improve personal relationships or be a better salesperson, the list is endless.Excellence in performance is one of the goals of NLP and requires the development

of skills and the corresponding physical and mental states.

These physical and mental states can be compartmentalised and summarised asfollows;

Motivation

Learning

Maintaining good health and fitness

Communication

Negotiating Public speaking

Teambuilding

Change management

NLP encompasses both a systematic and holistic approach to improving yourself as a

person using organizational effectiveness, in other words, getting your act together.


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Richard Bandler, credited as being one of the creators of NLP is quoted as sayingthat it is necessary to let it [NLP] completely permeate your thinking and feeling

and that it involves a ferocious spirit of going for it characteristics of excitement,curiosity, high level state management of your own moods, passion and

commitment.

John Grindler, another founder member of the NLP movement flatters recruits bytelling them that they need to possess sparkling intelligence and physicalfitness So, a little bit like a cult religion then

NLP practitioners need to be more in control of their thoughts, feelings and actions,more positive in their approach to life and better able to achieve results. If people do

not have, within themselves, the knowledge or resources to achieve what they want,NLP makes it possible to adapt other peoples skills and ways of thinking and

incorporate them within their own lives in order to be more successful.

In other words, if you dont feel you are doing things quite right, have a look at howsomeone else, who is more successful than you, is doing them, and copy them!!! The

patent obviousness of this statement beggars belief.

In fairness it should be said that to the NLP purist, modelling is not just copying. Theidea is that a person actually morphs into the other person, thinking like them,

acting like them, doing as them not copying but being them.

Then all you have to do is pretend to be someone else for the rest of your life andchange your name to Walter Mitty. This could have the twin disadvantages of a)

being a cause for concern for those people close to you who may not understand orappreciate the new you and, b) be the cause of long or short term personality

change which, again, some might find odd. I quote the case of a barrister who wasimpressed by the forthright style of a particular judge and very quickly adopted the

same mannerisms, the same idiosyncrasies of speech and went round with his

eyebrows permanently raised. He did not become a better barrister because hissuccess rate in court did not improve, but he did gain the reputation as someone

who had turned a little queer.

NLP has been called some of the following;

An owners guide to the mind

The study of subjective experience

software for the brain

The study of human excellence

a programme of health and happiness in union with other people and nature

a manual for the structured use of creativity

an adventure experience a guide to positive thinking so you can enhance your experience

And so the list goes on.

NLP stresses the importance of a balanced emotional state in achieving effectiveimportance.I questioned 10 people at random in the shopping centre in Doncaster

and showed them this. They didnt have the first clue what it meant the typical


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response was a bemused shake of the head followed by comments to the effect thatthey never could, and never would, grasp the meaning.

NLP claims that whereas related disciplines, such as psychology may give an insight

into human behaviour and motivation, NLP can actually provide practical ways ofimproving your performance.

NLP distinguishes between present states and desired states in other words, how youare now versus how you would like to be in the future. NLP seems to be a formula

for motivating people.

In this transaction for the present state to the desired state, there are three

elements, namely;1. you; your own situation and disposition

2. others; those with whom you are dealing3. flexibility; the possibility of varying what you do in order to be effective.

By changing your posture or even the way you dress, (clothes maketh the man!)

devotees of NLP have discovered that you can change the way you feel, even your

level of confidence. This seems to the casual observer to be obvious. It focuses onmental processing or to put it another way, a Positive Mental Attitude. Manyperformers, musicians and sports persons already know this. One of the main

difficulties with NLP is to discover what distinctive features it offers; what marks outNLP from other, more traditional therapies on offer?

It has much in common with Taoism and similar belief systems in the way it is

dedicated to the enhancement of a sense of fulfilment and personal experience. Tothe Taoist, a flower on a sunny day is a beautiful thing, and so is a pile of doggie-

dos in the grass.

Significantly, NLP practitioners claim NLP as an approach to therapy is neutral. It is a

tool, not a prescription. How it is used depends entirely on the user or the client.Unlike psychoanalysis, for example, which very often focuses on the past, NLP

focuses almost entirely on the future.

Note the use of the word client here instead of patient to avoid any unpleasantnesswith the trades descriptions people! This is also a useful get-out clause because

NLP, unlike other therapies, cleverly claims no pretence of being in any way a cure.

Thus, practitioners need no qualifications other than in NLP! Anyone can do it,without the cumbersome exigencies of examinations and recognised qualifications!

Practitioners also say that one of the fundamental principles of NLP is respect for

others, but that is neither unique nor original. It is hard to think of any type oftherapy which is not based on respect for others, save perhaps the barbaric practice

of electric shock therapy. It is further claimed that it is the emphasis on ethics whichmakes NLP stand out from many other disciplines, but that surely does a disservice

to other therapies, never mind other therapists. This seems like a classic case of theholier than thou syndrome.

In NLP, experience has a structure which can be notated, compartmentalised and

pigeon-holed before it is interpreted by people with little or no knowledge or trainingin psychology or other closely related disciplines. It may be of interest to that many


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university trained psychologists refer NLP as an emperors new clothes phenomena- most hold even hypnosis in higher regard.

The NLP philosophy holds that if something can be done by somebody, then

potentiallyit can be done by anybody, given the right resources. This statement isdisingenuous because it is fundamentally flawed. It simply does not follow that

because one fourteen year old can become a mathematical genius, every otherfourteen year old, given the same resources, upbringing, opportunities etc. canbecome a mathematical genius. This reasoning simply flies in the face of

conventional psychological wisdom, particularly in view of the ongoing

nurture/nature debate.

It appears that by its very nature, one of the basic tenets of NLP is its inherentflexibility - that there can be no failure, only feedback. This is a get out of jail free

card if ever there was one. If you do not achieve what you set out to, this is not tobe regarded as failure but as useful information to help you in your future

endeavours.

The NLP view that every behaviour has a positive intent is so deeply flawed as to be

downright dangerous. The belief that even the most negative behaviour is done for apurpose is to deny reality.

The Origins of NLP

NLP seems to have originated in California during the early 1970s and could quite

possibly be a hangover from the flower power era when all wished to be one withnature and at peace with the world.

The two names most often associated with the creation of NLP are Richard Bandler

and John Grindler. Bandler had an exceptional ability in absorbing other peoples

behavioural patterns, so much so that he had an uncanny ability to become anotherperson.

This they called modelling. Its what I call Method Acting. Any drama student knows

this and it is quite possible to become another person in a very short time. Thegreat actor Peter Sellers was excellent at it, so much so that he sometimes found it

difficult to come out of character, much to the frustration of his wives. Much of NLP

seems to be based on the principle of modellingor mirroring. In plain languagethis simply means copying someone you admire, their ways of behaving, of

speaking, their idiosyncrasies, not to mention their business models, to achieve thesuccess you desire.

In 1977, Bandler married another NLP acolyte, Leslie Cameron. They were married

by John Grindler who was also a preacher from the Universal Light Church.Unfortunately the marriage only lasted a year. So much for the wonders of NLP!

Bandler and Grindler set up the Society of Neuro Linguistic Programming and underthe name Meta Publications published many of the notable books on NLP.

Other names associated with the NLP bandwagon are the linguist Noam Chomsky,

Alfred Korzybski, Carlos Castaneda, Virginia Satir, Fritz Perls, and Milton Erickson.Erickson of course is noted for his work with Clinical Hypnosis and Suggestibility, so

it comes as no surprise to find his name in there.


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We also find Frank Farrelly, Judith DeLozier, Leslie Cameron, Robert Dilts, and

surprise, surprise Anthony Robbins, literally larger than life at 6ft. 7in., famous forlecturing to corporate executives and salesmen whilst wearing red braces, all at

thousands of dollars at a time, and owning his own island. Robbins uses many of thetechniques of NLP in his training seminars. In fact both Bandler and Robbins claim

extraordinary results when it comes to turning corporate incompetents into thesharp-shooters and movers and shakers of industry. This needs some examination.Surely anyone attending a seminar on any subject in which they are interested will

come away having learned something. Where Robbins and the like score high is that

they are impressive and inspirational speakers. People queuing to see AnthonyRobbins will experience the same sense of emotional expectancy as those queuing to

see their favourite rock star and most will come away having had their expectationsfulfilled.

The founders of NLP, or in fact anyone who has written a book on it or added even

the most superficial incidental to the subject are held in awe as modern day gurusand revered almost as living Gods, especially if they are from America. People travel

thousands of miles to listen to their ideas which are beyond criticism and esteemed

with almost religious fervour.

Personal Growth and NLP

The NLP version of personal growth can be summarised in 4 easy steps;

1. using your self esteem as a resource2. keeping your body healthy and fit

3. learning and developing skills4. increasing spirituality

The process is defined in the following 3 easy steps;

1. Present State; I can not play the violin2. Desired State; I would like to play the violin

3. Transition State; I will take violin lessons

I know; its so obvious when you think about it!

Improving Self Esteem

According to NLP, adopting a more Positive Mental Attitude means engaging ininternal dialogue, in other words, saying I can do this instead of I cant do this.

Derivative and obvious!

It is important that the client, repeats the words over and over again in his/her headin such a way that they can actually hear them. I am as valuable as other people I

am going to talk to those people on equal terms, etc. This has its roots in EmileCues repetition therapy of Every day in every way, I am becoming a more and

more confident person Repetition works!!!


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The same technique works in the same way with confidence, emotional control and

an almost endless list of other problems.

In a strikingly similar way to the above, the emotional impact of traumatic eventscan be reduced by making the subject view the incident remotely, in other words,

imagine seeing the event from a distant, detached way. This technique has its rootsin Freudian psychoanalysis and hypnosis.

It is claimed that NLP can be effective with an almost limitless list of problems, from

weight reduction, to allergies, even to cancer, where the patient imagines the canceras a snowball which is melting from the heat of the bodys immune system. This

latter therapy has come in for a great deal of criticism from the medical profession.It may be that a handful of people have had their cancer go into remission after this

kind of treatment, but there is no proof that it wasnt as a result of moreconventional treatment (some cancers go into remission on their own). Here we are

in grave danger of getting into the territory of faith healing as practiced by theBenny Hinns of this world.

NLP practitioners claim that with medical conditions, the NLP approaches may includethe following;

Reframing experiencing a condition from a different perspective may help

alleviate symptoms; for example, recovering after an operation may provide

time to catch up on other things like reading.

Sub-modality work picturing your self getting better and healthier and

improving on a daily basis.

Programming for control imagining pain levels on a scale of 1 to 10 and

then mentally repositioning the level.

Shifting beliefs for example believing you are capable of seeing without

glasses

Using hypnotic trance states speeding up recovery using suggestion.Good but its all been done before Im afraid.

Visualisation imagining the disease being drawn out of the body. Again

were back on dangerous ground here Claims that such therapy has beenproved to work must be viewed with at least some scepticism. Remember,

some illnesses get better by themselves and the vast majority of doctors putthese results down to coincidence.

Analysis of behaviour patterns analysing what you do and then

substituting other activities that will produce better results; for example you

know that drinking two bottles of scotch keeps making you ill so you decideonly to drink one bottle. This is all pain and pleasure stuff and yet again its

based on Watson and Skinners Behaviourism (1930) with a bit of Freudian

Psychology thrown in for good measure. According to NLP, Pain and pleasuremotivates us in everything we do. Doesnt it just!!!

There is no doubt that mental preparation, even mental practice can go some way toenhancing physical performance, but so far as NLP is concerned, there is really

nothing new in this at all. It is merely focussing of the attention and this has already

been proved to lead to greater confidence. The fact of the matter is that some peopleare naturally better at creative visualisation than others. This is an ability that people

are born with and, although a persons ability to do this can certainly be improved


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with practice, the same problem arises with NLP as with Hypnosis and otherassociated techniques it depends almost entirely on the persons natural ability to

respond to suggestion.

Techniques of NLP

The way NLP is used varies with the individual. This is because different people have

widely differing thoughts, feelings, behaviour, beliefs and objectives. In NLP-speak,

ones objectives are referred to as WFOs, or Well Formed Outcomes. In plainlanguage, this simply means that new ways of thinking about persistent problems

are more likely to produce a better result. Common sense really.

Neurological Levels (or Logical Levels as they are sometimes called, depending onwhose book you read) can be neatly organised into a frame work of 6 basic levels;

spirituality; why a person does things; what exists beyond themselves

identity; who a person thinks they are; their sense of self and personal

mission

belief; what motivates a person (why they do things)

capability; how a person does things, utilizes skills, forms a strategy and

follows plans

behaviour; what a person does; actions and reactions

environment; where and when things happen; opportunities and constraints

In other words, whereas it is possible to adopt this framework and use it as a guideto sorting out your life it does not really add to what we already know, or at least

suspect, about how we should change for the better, that is of course presuming thatwe really want to.

There is an advantage however, and it is this:Its always easier to deal with your problem if someone else (a counsellor, friend, ormentor) is looking at it objectively. In that respect it is the same as any other

problem; its always easier to see other peoples problems and we often turn to closefriends for advice and most often our real friends give the best advice.

The NLP Glossary of Terms Explained

New Code NLPNew Code NLP is like the old NLP but New and Improved, a bit like a biological

washing powder but with overtones of cult religion. Personal Edits sounds

remarkably similar to the Personal Auditsso favoured by Scientologists. New Code

teaches that by listening to the body, which has its own inborn wisdom, it is possibleto obtain excellent information about what is or is not appropriate action to take.New Code NLP seems to be based much more on a holistic approach.

Systemic NLP

Systemic NLP is more concerned with relationships and interactions with otherpeople.

The Meta Model


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People do not always spell out exactly what they mean. Sometimes they leave thingsout or do not make their thoughts clear. This is split up into three failings, known in

NLP-speak as; deletion, distortion and generalisation. All human beings do this,especially the semi-literate. Precise language can be effective to achieve particular

results.The Milton Model

The Milton Model is based upon the language patterns of Milton Erickson, so intheory it should really be called the Erickson Model. Some features of the MiltonModel are the use of generalisation, ambiguity and indirect language and suggestion.

Being non-specific allows a person to use their imagination. Indirect language can be

used for persuasiveness and influence.

Perceptual PositionsSimply put, this means putting your self in someone elses shoes, being able to see

another persons point of view.

ReframingThis is the ability to turn a situation to your advantage. For example; it is raining, I

do not like the rain, but the rain will give me the opportunity to check out the new

bus system.

Sensory Preferences

How people talk and look give clues as to what sensory channels they are using. Thisinvolves careful monitoring of body movement and eye movements.

Sub-modalities

This is a matter of exploring the 5 senses; sight; smell; hearing; taste and touch.This is also called Representational Systems. For example, think of an elephant. Try

to think not only of the size of the elephant, but the feel of its skin, the smell of theelephant house at the zoo, the ear splitting noise it would make if it made that

elephant noise while it was right next to you, and what it would taste like if it sat on

your head. Because of NLPs abilities to manipulate the senses (otherwise known asusing your imagination) NLP can create more, or even less, pleasant experiences.

Synaesthesia

This is the word they use to describe the simultaneous experience of more than onesensory process.

Primary SystemThis is the sense that a person favours over the others, eg. the sense of sight over

the sense of looking at the instructions first when putting together a piece of self-assembly furniture. This indicates that your ability to visualise the completed item is

stronger than your desire not to have a row with your wife.

Lead SystemsThe sense a person is more likely to use as an initial response to a situation.

Rapport

This is the state which exists when two people are getting on well together. Peoplewho can get on well together find it easier to share activities, even share silence.

Pacing


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Pacing is simply a matter of matching another person as they change their behaviourand reactions. Advertisers try to persuade us to do this all the time. Advertisers

make us feel as if we have to keep up or get left behind.

PresuppositionThis is another term for Assumptions, eg. you presuppose that if you cook a meal

for a friend, you assume that they are going to eat it.

Fast Phobia Cures and Perspective Patterns

In which a positive mental image is superimposed on a negative one in order to re-

programme the mind to respond in a more positive way to a situation.Helping patients (or clients) put their fears into perspective, for example, a fear of

snakes is perfectly rational if you live in the Amazon, but not if you live in the middleof Watford. People can be persuaded to look at their phobias in a detached way,

even giving them a humorous slant. This is a blatant rip-off of Watson and SkinnersBehaviourist school of psychology dating from the 1930s.

Mind Mapping

Organising your life by making a simple shopping list or a to do list. It is more of a

common sense task than you think! Split the task up into different parts with yourgoal at the top and a list of things you must do to achieve it.

Accessing cuesMovement or gestures that give clues as to the mental processes a person is using.

For example if a person is imagining a large visual image, they may lean back intheir chair as if they are trying to encompass the size of the picture.

Acuity

Observing whether a persons breathing has increased (or indeed decreased) orwhether the tone of their voice has changed.

Analogue MarkingThis is quite simply using movements and gestures etc. eg. pointing, to emphasise a

word, intention or feeling.

AnchorAn anchor is the association of a memory with a response, for example hearing a

certain piece of music and recalling a memory; wearing a dinner suit and adopting a

feeling of confidence.

AnchoringAnchoring means dealing with situations by way of conditioned responses, eg. you

can deal with a problem more effectively by remembering or associating a pleasantexperience thereby enabling a person to remain in a positive emotional state.

Association

Association means (in NLP speak) being immersed in your feelings.

DissociationDissociation means being detached from yourself as if you are an observer.

Auditory


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Imagining your own voice in your head; imagining that you are talking to yourself.Better not to do this out loud.

Calibration

Observing a persons behaviour (how they look, sound, behave etc.) and thencomparing these observations as a reference for future observations. This takes a

long time as lots of people have the same expressions and ways of behaving forboredom as they do irritation. In a therapeutic situation, its far easier to just askthem.

Being Persuasive and Influential

It works by;

finding out what motivates the other person and following those patterns to

establish credibility and stimulate enthusiasm (not to be confused with

simulate enthusiasm).

reinforcing verbal messages by non-verbal means

using metaphor to increase understanding

use the future tense when having a conversation

using the persons preferred ways of perceiving to enhance your message

provide evidence that will meet the other persons requirements.

In Conclusion

It is difficult on the face of things to see just what it is that distinguishes NLPscontribution to the development of personal excellence, self-improvement and/or

contentment, that is not already offered by a plethora of existing techniques,

therapies and spiritualities. Much is derived from Humanistic Psychology. Modellingwas pioneered by both Burrhus Frederick Skinner and Albert Bandura in the 1930sand has been used successfully as part of the armoury of therapies ever since. In

fact the only apparent contribution NLP has made is to couch ideas in terms that onlythe very literate can understand. The expression old wine in new bottles

immediately springs to mind.

There is no doubt that many of the visualisation techniques and modelling (method

acting) exercises expounded by NLP aficionados do have an effect. The questionthough is, is this something new or are we back to the old magic of the power of

suggestion. If it is, then is it hypnosis without the hypnosis? And if it is hypnosis by

another name, then surely it suffers from the same paradox, that is, a bad, (if not

phoney), name for what is really happening. Were back to the same thing though;its the same dance, its just a different tune.

The emphasis on imagining a better future and copying the behaviour of those weadmire may not be such a bad thing. Good role models (that is, role models who

exert a good influence rather than bad), are generally a positive thing and copyingbehaviour is something we all do as children anyway (some people continue to do it

well into adulthood) so in that respect at least, its probably harmless.


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Neuro Linguistic Programming is an elegant title for a depressingly small and looselyconnected collection of relatively straightforward ideas which all have their roots in

other peoples work and which predate the 1960s. By adopting the mnemonic NLP,NLP has gained a certain mystique, but remains tragically long on detail and short on

adding anything of any real substance to our understanding of the human conditionin the way that the study of psychology has over the last 100 years.

NLP works very well with some people and not so well with others, and this is whereit has even more in common with other therapies; it tends to work well with people

who are naturally suggestible and who are open to these sort of notions anyway.

Placebo it may be, but then again, if it works, then why not?

Upon closer investigation, it seems that NLP is designed for those with no agenda.Ah-ha! the NLP lobby will say with satisfaction, that is what NLP is for, to give

direction. As for modelling, people who pretend to be someone they are not areusually shallow. And furthermore, true talent, whether it is in the field of

performance, art, science etc. is always a natural gift; it cant be imitated orsynthesised. And trying to make sense of visual clues (accessing) which are so

often open to misinterpretation is no substitute for thorough [verbal] investigation of

complex emotional and mental problems. So as far as NLP is concerned, it might bewell to remember that however attractive the packaging, all that glitters is not gold.The difficulty, for those with the patience to cut through the Psychobabble, is that all

in all, NLP seems to be a collection of something borrowed, nothing new, anotherplayer in the self-improvement business that has grown in the last few years to

industrial proportions.

Copyright Andrew Newton 2004

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Assessing NLP