Introduction to Neuro-Linguistic Programming - NLP

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can be seen as philosophy and a set of techniques, axioms and beliefs. It is based on the concept that mind, body and language interact to create an individual's perception of the world. Perceptions, and hence behaviours, can be changed by the application of a variety of techniques, in particular, 'modelling' which involves the careful reproduction of the behaviours and beliefs of those who have achieved 'excellence'. The early focus of NLP was the study of the underlying patterns in the language and techniques of noted and successful therapists in hypnotherapy, gestalt therapy and family therapy. The patterns discovered were adapted for general communication and effecting change.

Overview of NLP

NLP is applied mostly as a personal development system presented in group trainings, seminars, or individual client-practitioner consultations. NLP practitioners deal with personal issues ranging from reframing negative beliefs, dealing with stage fright and simple phobias, to self-help, depression and addiction. They deal with peak performance assistance in business, sports, communications and motivation. Professionals in other fields take up NLP as professional training for coaching, consulting, counselling and therapy. NLP and its techniques have been widely adopted for use in motivational seminars, adult learning, and management and sales training.

Concepts and Methods

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is based on the idea that with our senses we are only able to perceive a small part of the world. Our view of the world is filtered by our experience, beliefs, values and assumptions. We act and feel based on our perception of the world rather than the real world. NLP teaches that language and behaviours (whether functional or dysfunctional) are highly structured, and that this structure can be 'modelled' or copied into a reproducible form. 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, we can learn how specifically they do it by observing certain important details of their behaviour. NLP embodies several techniques, including hypnotic techniques, which can effect changes in the way people think, learn and communicate.

 

Internal 'maps' of the world

NLP calls each individual's perception of the world their 'map'. NLP teaches that our mind-body (Neuro) and what we say (language) all interact together to form our perceptions of the world (our maps) and therefore effects our resultant behaviour (programming). Each person's map of the world determines their feelings and behavior. Therefore, impoverished - and unrealistic - maps can restrict choices and result in mental or emotional problems. As an approach to personal development or therapy it involves understanding 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 in order to increase behavioural flexibility.

 

Modelling in NLP

"Modelling" in NLP is the process of adopting the behaviours, language, strategies and beliefs of another or understanding the pattern of one's own behaviours in order to model aspects of oneself. The founders, Bandler and Grinder started by analysing in detail and then searching for what made successful psychotherapists different from their peers. The patterns discovered were adapted for general communication and effecting change. As an approach to learning it can involve modelling exceptional people. NLP modelling methods are designed to unconsciously assimilate the implicit knowledge and learn what the master is doing of which the master is not aware. As Bandler and Grinder state "the function of NLP modelling is to arrive at descriptions which are useful. Einspruch & Forman 1985 state that "when modelling another person the modeller suspends his or her own beliefs and adopts the structure of the physiology, language, strategies, and beliefs of the person being modelled. After the modeller is capable of behaviourally reproducing the patterns (of behavior, communication, and behavioural outcomes) of the one being modelled, a process occurs in which the modeller modifies and readopts his or her own belief system while also integrating the beliefs of the one who was modelled.

 

META model in NLP

In NLP the Meta-model is a set of specifying questions or language patterns designed to challenge and expand the limits to a person's model or 'map' of the world. When a person speaks about a problem or situation their choice of words, (or ‘indicators’), will distort, generalize, and delete portions of their experience. By listening to and responding to these language patterns the practitioner seeks to help the client to recover the information that is under the surface of the words. A therapist who ’listens’ on the basis of their existing belief systems may miss important aspects. The NLP meta-model, being based on the verbal patterning of Fritz Perl's and Virginia Satir, is intended to facilitate detecting the indicators of limiting beliefs and restrictive thinking. The questions in the meta-model are designed to bring clarity to the clients language and so to their underlying restrictive thinking and beliefs.

In business or therapy, the meta-model might be used to help a client elaborate the details of problems, proposals and objectives by asking about the important information that has been left out. For example, a person states that "we need to make a decision", a response could be to ask who will be actually be doing the deciding and how exactly the process of deciding (from decision) would take place. The word we does not specify who is doing the action. Also, the word 'decision' is a process which had been turned into a abstract noun. In that statement there was also an implied necessity (from need) which could also be challenged to find out if it really is a necessity.[8]

 

Milton model in NLP

The Milton model is a form of hypnotherapy based on the language patterns for hypnotic communication of Milton Erickson, a noted Hypnotherapist. It has been described as "a way of using language to induce and maintain trance in order to contact the hidden resources of our personality". The Milton model has three primary aspects: Firstly, to assist in building and maintaining rapport with the client. Secondly, to overload and distract the conscious mind so that unconscious communication can be cultivated. Thirdly, to allow for interpretation in the words offered to the client.

1. Rapport

The first aspect, building rapport, or empathy, is done to achieve better communication and responsiveness. NLP teaches 'mirroring' or matching body language, posture, breathing, predicates and voice tonality. Rapport is an aspect of 'pacing' or tuning into the client or learners world. Once pacing is established, the practitioner can 'lead' by changing their behavior or perception so the other follows. O'Connor & Seymour in "Introducing NLP" describe rapport as a 'harmonious dance', an extension of natural skills, but warn against mimicry. Singer gives examples of the pantomime effect of mere mimicry by some practitioners which does not create rapport.

2. Overloading conscious attention

The second aspect of the Milton model is that it uses ambiguity in language and non-verbal communication. This might also be combined with vagueness, which arises when the boundaries of meaning are indistinct. The use of ambiguity and vagueness distracts the conscious mind as it tries to work out what is meant which gives the unconscious mind the opportunity to prosper.

3. Indirect communication

The third aspect of the Milton model is that it is purposely vague and metaphoric for the purpose of accessing the unconscious mind. It is used to soften the meta model and make indirect suggestions. A direct suggestion merely states what is wanted, for example, "when you are in front of the audience you will not feel nervous". In contrast an indirect suggestion is less authoritative and leaves an opportunity for interpretation, for example, "When you are in front of the audience, you might find yourself feeling ever more confident". This example follows the indirect method leaving both the specific time and level of self-confidence unspecified. It might be made even more indirect by saying, "when you come to a decision to speak in public, you may find it appealing how your feelings have changed." The choice of speaking in front of the audience, the exact time and the likely responses to the whole process are framed but the imprecise language gives the client the opportunity to fill in the finer details.

 

Representational systems

In NLP, our representational systems are the way in which we perceive the world through our senses and of storing information from the senses in the mind. Memories are closely linked to sensory experience hence remembering significant sensory events i.e. first kiss, first . When people are involved in tasks, such as making conversation, describing a problem in therapy, kicking a ball or riding a horse, their representational systems, consisting of images, sounds, feelings (and possibly smell and taste) are being activated at the same time. This can limit people's capacity or result in negative associations. Many NLP techniques rely on ascertaining and manipulating the sequences of representational systems.

 

Preferred representational systems

NLP teaches that each person has an internal preferred representational system (PRS) which a practitioner can ascertain from external cues such as the direction of eye movements, posture, breathing, voice tone and the use of sensory-based predicates. The practitioner is taught to 'mirror' these cues for better communication. For example when someone says, "I can't see a future for myself" then an NLP practitioner might respond using visual predicates to assist the speaker to build more positive visual representations. The existence of a preferred representational system indicated by external cues has been discounted by research.

 

Sub modalities

Sub modalities are the details of representational systems, such as size, brightness, volume, taste, proximity, intensity and other sensations. There is a variety of techniques for changing sub modalities and the associated emotional state (or 'anchor'). 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'.

 

Principles of NLP

  • The map is not the territory

  • Life and 'Mind' are Systemic Processes

  • Behind every behavior is a positive intention

  • Rapport is necessary for effective communication

  • There is no failure, only feedback

  • Choice is better than no choice (and flexibility is the way one gets choice)

  • The meaning of the communication is in the response

  • People already have all the resources they need to succeed

  • Multiple descriptions are better than one

 

Some NLP Techniques

Anchoring

NLP teaches that we constantly make anchors (associations) 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.

Swish patterns in NLP

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 used to lead to the old pattern - such as a smokers hand moving towards the face with a cigarette in it, and reprogramming the mind to 'switch' to a picture of the desired outcome, such as a healthy looking person, looking energetic and fit. In addition to visualization, auditory sound effects are often imagined to enhance the experience.

Reframing with NLP

Another technique, reframing functions through "changing the way you perceive an event and so changing the meaning. When the meaning changes, responses and behaviours 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. There are examples in children's literature. 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.

Six step reframe using NLP

An example of reframing is found in the six-step reframe which involves distinguishing between an underlying intention and the consequent behaviours for the purpose of achieving the intention by different and more successful behaviours. It is based on the notion that there is a positive intention behind all behaviours, but that the behaviours themselves may be unwanted or counterproductive in other ways. NLP uses this staged process, to identify the intention and create alternative choices to satisfy that intention.

Parts integration in NLP

Parts Integration is based on the idea that different aspects of ourselves are in conflict due to different perceptions and beliefs. 'Parts integration' is the process of integrating the disparate aspects of the self by identifying and then negotiating with the separate parts to achieve resolution of internal conflict.