What is NLP?

Question

In layman's terms, what is Neuro Linguistic Programming? Is it legit?

Answer 1

It was developed by researchers Bandler and Grinder. The main tenant being that people access information through the senses.... particularly through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic styles. Depending on your "style" of accessing information, words that correspond with your particular style will have a bigger impact.

For Example:
If you have a visual style, then a phrase like, "do you see what I mean?" may impact you more.

If you have an auditory style then a phrase like, "do you hear what I am trying to say?" will impact you more.

and, if you have an kinesthetic style, then a phrase like "do you get a feel for what I am saying?" will impact you more.

You might want to look at the book, "Unlimited Power" by Anthony Robbins for in depth details.
Also, you could search the web for the researchers I mentioned above.

Is it legit? ---- well, it could be. IMO It's kind of like hypnosis.... with some people it works very well and with others it doesn't work at all.

Answer 2

The concept is based on what appears to be a valid assumption, but is not.

Think of neuro pathways as streets in your neighborhood. These streets keep the same street signs, and if you didn't know that all streets in all neighborhoods also do this, you might think that, in noticing this, you had discovered something important.

The problem with Neuro Linguistic Programming is.... the founders did not ask whether or not a study of these street signs would tell us all about the people who painted them? In other words, when we look at what is obvious, we learn little about what lies behind what we can observe.

To discover what lies behind the obvious is a person's MIND realm, and this is not physical, and can only be studied while ones attention is fixed WITHIN ones own MIND realm. This is not well known, and thus, it is understandable that the Esoteric principles of the MIND realm would not be more on center stage.
Peace

Answer 3

NLP is a short term dynamic therapy. It is legitimate. NLP was developed by two individuals who wanted to find more effective ways to help people change. They observed some of the best therapists in the field and developed processes that could help people overcome fears, losses and blocks in their lives in minutes. The Trauma/Phobia model is a good example. Changes are permanent and lasting. I have used this change technology on and off for about 15 years. It works!

NLP flies in the face of conventional psychology where the belief is that change takes time and involves lots of emoting. NLP techniques can be learned and applied by anyone. This is another reason the counselling community who make their living off people coming to them long term dislike NLP.

But hey, don't take my word for it. Experience it for yourself.

Answer 4

It is a set of psychological methods that some would say are particularly effective when used together and in certain ways, with the goal of personal development.

It's worth a try, but so are all the other things like meditation, yoga, hypnosis etc. It's not a cult or a brainwashing technique (in the commonly used sense of the word "brainwashing" - clearing out the head of rubbish is probably a good thing! :)