Neurolinguistic programming

{{pseudosciencenav}}
{{distinguish|the other, totally valid NLP, {{wpl|natural language processing}}, the study of using computers to process language}}
'''Neuro-linguistic programming''' ('''NLP''') is a personal-development method of the [[New Age]] [[human potential movement]]. It's notable for not being even a fraction as cool as its name suggests. It is a set of methods and beliefs that adherents apply to [[Psychoanalysis|psychotherapy]], [[healing]], communication, [[Self help|self development]], [[business]], teaching English,<ref>[http://teflpedia.com/index.php?title=Neurolinguistic_programming Teaching English with NLP]</ref> treating the skin condition psoriasis,<ref>[http://www.nlpco.com/library/health/healing-psoriasis/ NLP and psoriasis]</ref> curing [[cancer]],<ref>[http://www.transformations.net.nz/trancescript/healing-cancer.html NLP and cancer]</ref> and achieving weight loss.<ref>[http://www.nlpco.com/library/health/weight-loss/ NLP and weight loss]</ref> And [[Pickup artist|picking up chicks]].

Unfortunately, as a [[scientific theory]] of the mind, it doesn't work. It basically works about as well as any other [[Placebo effect|placebo]]-type thing for many of the purposes it is often marketed for. There are some basic principles that can hold water. These are concepts that were *copied* or "modeled" from professional therapists.

==History==
[[File:RICHARDB.jpg|thumb|left|Richard Bandler in 2007]]
Neurolinguistic programming was developed in [[California]] during the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder and claimed to be a set of models and principles to describe the relationship between neurology and [[linguistics]] and how their interaction can be used to program an individual's mind, body and behavior. It is described by the original developers as "therapeutic [[magic]]" and "the study of the structure of subjective experience." The development of NLP was influenced by the work of more reputed theorists like {{wpl|Gregory Bateson}} and [[Chomsky]], to the more questionable like {{wpl|Alfred Korzybski}}, to the overtly daft like [[Carlos Castaneda]].<ref>McClendon, Terrence L. (1989). The Wild Days. NLP 1972–1981</ref>

According to the claims of the originators, neurolinguistic programming is based on beliefs in unlimited potential, [[Solipsism|created reality]], and the access to the subconscious, and body language cues derived from the observation of "therapeutic wizards". The methods they claim include behavior change and transforming beliefs, through mind-body rituals and eye movements, and the use of NLP body language. It is claimed that neurolinguistic programming is about form rather than content, and as such is sold as self improvement, psychotherapy, and a communication method, though it is regularly applied to commercial motivational seminars, seduction seminars, and [[psychic]]/[[occult]] matters.

==Pseudoscience==
[[Psychologist]]s, neurologists, human resource experts, and [[linguist]]s have investigated NLP in scientific research reviews, which conclude that it is built on conceptually erroneous notions of neurology and linguistics, and it has failed to show its claimed efficacy in many [[Experimental control|controlled]] studies, though the concept of "mirroring and matching" has been vindicated in marketing psychology as the Chameleon Effect.<ref>Chartrand, T. L., & Bargh, J. A. (1999). The chameleon effect: the perception–behavior link and social interaction. Journal of personality and social psychology, 76(6), 893.[http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/psp/76/6/893/]</ref>

Faced with this, advocates then claimed that science is inadequate to studying NLP, and that critics should take a "phenomenological" approach ("we say it works for us!") rather than trying to work out what's happening.<ref>Mathison, J. & Tosey, P. (2010) "Exploring inner landscapes through psychophenomenology: The contribution of neuro-linguistic programming to innovations in researching first person experience." ''Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal'', Volume 5, Number 1, 2010, pp. 63–82(20) [https://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1860331&show=abstract doi:10.1108/17465641011042035]</ref> Critics then pointed and laughed.<ref>http://web.archive.org/web/20120905075141/http://jarhe.research.glam.ac.uk/media/files/documents/2009-07-17/JARHE_V1.2_Jul09_Web_pp57-63.pdf</ref>

Neurolinguistic programming has become a subject of discussion in university courses on [[science]] and [[pseudoscience]] as a prime example of pseudoscience. [[Evidence]]-based scientists such as Professor Scott Lilienfeld are concerned about the spread of pseudoscientific ideas and misconceptions about the brain by developments such as NLP. Neurolinguistic programming has now been identified as one of a top 10 most discredited interventions according to a published research survey by Norcross et al. (2006).<ref>Norcross; Koocher, Gerald P.; Garofalo, Ariele; et al. (2006). "Discredited Psychological Treatments and Tests: A Delphi Poll". ''Professional Psychology: Research and Practice'' 37 (5): 515–522. doi:10.1037/0735-7028.37.5.515</ref>

==Effectiveness==
NLP "works" insofar as it increases your confidence in what you're doing, a kind of self-reinforcing [[placebo]].

The entire theory itself doesn't actually hold, so you can't build further theory on it. That said, it promises to get people to do what you want, and it does just that! Even if the theory is rubbish, that you ''have'' a theory increases your confidence that what you are doing will work. You then apply the master hack of controlling other humans &mdash; confidently demanding they do what you want &mdash; and they do what you want. Voila, one [[self-fulfilling prophecy]] on the rocks.

==Current popularity==
Neurolinguistic programming continues to be promoted and is popularized in [[New Age]] and [[Pop psychology|popular psychology]] channels. In the field of the sociology of [[religion]] it is considered to be an alternative to [[Scientology]], and as a human development concern it tends to be used in combination with other mind-body-spirit developments such as [[remote viewing]], [[psychic healing]] and [[qi]] or [[Subtle energy|energy therapies]].

Neurolinguistic programming is also taught on some human resource development and business courses, where it tends to be criticized for its heavily pseudo-scientific content. But business people, particularly salespeople, have always been juicy targets for things whose promised results sound good.

It's also a favorite of the [[pickup artist]] subculture, which uses this theory in the distant hope of getting laid. Bandler loves these guys because they worship him. And give him money.

It also has a following in the English language teaching community. Namely for NLP's (questionable) promises to improve spelling over the original phonetics system.

==See also==
*[[Natural horsemanship]]: NLP for [[horse]]s; really. Neigh!

{{otherlang
|pt=Programação neurolinguística}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:California]]
[[Category:Cancer woo]]
[[Category:New Age]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience]]
[[Category:Pseudopsychology]]

Categories: California, Cancer woo, New Age, Pseudoscience, Pseudopsychology