Talk:Neuro-linguistic programming

Role of Timothy Leary

Absolutely no mention of Dr. Timothy Leary? I was under the distinct impression that he founded the concept of Neuro-Linguistic Programming.

Not so far as I am aware. [1] (link added) FT2 11:13, Jul 27, 2004 (UTC)

Timothy Leary was involved in some work that Robert Dilts did for his reimprinting techniques.

See this article on Robert Dilt's site. [2]. Robert Dilts and Timothy Leary taught an NLP workshop together on "designing intelligence", which I have a copy of.

Neutrality

Someone continually edits this descirption to be distinctly anti-Richard Bandler. I think the description should be balanced. Certainly many trainers have their detractors, but there is more to NLP than Bandler's trial in the mid-70's, and his legal actions are only one small part of his involvement in NLP. The language continually is changed to be distinctly anti-Bandler, and this is a non-biased source, so let's keep to fairness between the NLP factions.

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The entry as it currently stands (16/08/05) is balanced and undistracted by superfluous biographical details.

There's no mention of Bandler's trial, former cocaine habit, his current obesity and his current denigration of NLP so the entry isn't biased against Bandler. In any event, such biographical detail should be confined to the 'Richard Bandler' entry.

A section should be added on the intellctual antecedents of NLP.

URLs for the abstracts of various research papers pertaining to NLP topics should be included. This is prefrable to simply stating "research has shown..." or "research has failed to show...". The 'NLP Research Database' (http://www.nlp.de/cgi-bin/research/nlp-rdb.cgi) has many such abstracts though I'm not sure of its completeness.

Organization of the article

On a side, can someone have a go at cleaning up the various "principles" section? The subsections probably overlap and could do with some review and neatening up. FT2 11:13, Jul 27, 2004 (UTC)

American versus British spelling

This article began using American rather than British spelling but is now a hodgepodge. I think it should be made consistent at the former; see discussion at Talk:Modelling (NLP). JamesMLane 22:39, 2 Aug 2004 (UTC)

The whole article could probably do with some cleanup and review, now it's more comprehensive, I agree. Volunteers? FT2 05:41, Aug 3, 2004 (UTC)

I agree with you. I've made the spelling consistent; as an added bonus, I've removed initial caps from the headings so as to comply with Wikipedia style. Someone else will have to handle the substantive review, though. JamesMLane 23:22, 9 Aug 2004 (UTC)

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Incidentally I've removed the sentence Asking "why?" when gathering information is an advanced technique, reserved for special situations.

It's not a 'principle' of NLP, nor strictly an accurate statement. The reason NLP discourages "why?" is pragmatic: it will get beliefs about the problem, rather than operational information about the problem. "Why" can often be a red herring because it gets information which is not as relevant to actually understanding or changing a problem, so much as justifications why the problem needs to be there.

Often the more useful questions are "how?" and "what?" - how is it a problem, how do you experience it, what would you prefer to have happen? which in general help move towards resolving a problem. FT2 07:17, Aug 10, 2004 (UTC)

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I removed the dmoz link for the reasons listed at Wikipedia talk:External links/temp#Against. A search lists only about 1000 of the 430,000+ en.wikipedia articles having dmoz links to its 590,000+ categories, demonstrating that common practice does not currently support it. Zigger 14:30, 2004 Dec 26 (UTC)

I don't see a logic in "common practice does not currently support it". It not yet used widely. Conan 17:58, 26 Dec 2004 (UTC)

The logic is simple: we all must begin at once. :)

External Link Spamming

There are some spammy external links about penis enlargement and the such (Note 1, Note 2, etc). Going to remove then (as i don't think NLP has something to do with these kind of things.

NLP is used to sell a great many "services". I believe to give a good representative sample of applications, it is important to encompass the whole range. Take a look on the web. NLP really is used for all kinds of things.

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I noticed today quite a bit of external link spamming to NLP-related pages, all linking to nlpschedule.com. I tagged the links-only pages with speedy deletions, but do not have the subject matter knowledge to judge the usefulness of links on other pages. Would someone be willing to look through them and remove the ones that aren't useful or are otherwise inaapropriate to Wikipedia? You can find the list of affected articles on Talk:NLP map. Also, they are on the talk pages for the posting anons: User talk:63.199.31.178 and User talk:69.109.178.79. Thanks! --JimCollaborator 21:52, Mar 28, 2005 (UTC)

Thank you to Gadfium for the clean-up work he did with these link spams. JimCollaborator\^talk ~ 21:52, Mar 29, 2005 (UTC)

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I have to say I was extremely disappointed with this article. It is certainly substandard. That first sentence is terrible. It needs a big overhaul; I learnt more from a ten-line article in my dictionary of pscyhology than from this twaddle. ZephyrAnycon 23:34, 15 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Yup. (The first paragraph is horrible - the bit that says: The field has grown in many directions since its beginnings in modeling successful psychotherapists makes no sense whatsoever. elpincha 12:00, 27 Apr 2005 (UTC)

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Reversions to this page

Apparently this page is being constantly bombarded by an NLP fanatic (username ChrisG?) who regards any revisions to his pro-NLP text as "vandalism". A reasonable compromise would for Chris to provide a SHORT version of his current text (which is already enormously over wikipedia's suggested length limit) while someone else provides another view - JC

JC, while I found your entry quite funny and I don't dismiss your points, you can't delete the whole article and then write the following hyper critical text (2 paragraphs):

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) claims to be a field of human endeavor concerned with empirically studying and modeling human performance and excellence, with the goal of creating transferable skill sets. It specifically claims to be based on the idea that the unconscious mind can be "programmed" like a computer. However no evidence has ever been provided to show that this idea is true, and despite having charged millions of people thousands of dollars each for seminars on how to apply NLP to their lives, NLP practioners are unable to show any evidence that NLP is effective at anything other than making NLP trainers richer. Many clinically trained psychiatrists have expressed their fears over NLP "experts" with minimum training treatin people for phobias and other problems.

While NLP claims (amongst many other things) to be a science of perfect communication, communication between its two founders is now carried on solely between their lawyers, as they compete for a share of the declining but still considerable revenues the NLP brand brings in.

The article itself is not over Wikipedia article size limits, the 32K limit was first put in because of the limitations of some browsers. Most featured articles are well over 32k, and the only suggested ranges put forward (recently) were 32k to 55k, and that was considered too limiting and so never became part of the criteria.

Obviously the article could do with work; but it does cover a difficult topic and so that is unsurprising. Deleting it all and starting again would not be a positive step. You should trust the wiki process: it will be a much better article in a year's time. Finally, I myself have contributed very little to the article itself, which you could have discovered by examining the article history. :ChrisG 07:21, 22 Apr 2005 (UTC)

Chris - the article limit may have first arisen because of browser limits: that does not mean that it is its only purpose. As for my supposedly not being able to delete the article and replace it within the proper length limits, which does not contain a single claim that isn't verifiable - balderdash. Of course I can. There's nothing to say that a huge mass of excuses and evasions can't be replaced with a short clear statement of fact. I repeat my proposal: you or someone else "pro" NLP should produce an article of a length that is within the usual wiki limits, which should be balanced by an opposing view

Brevity is the soul of wit, chaps! This article could really do with a bit more cutting. And there's presently more spam and hype than you would find on ten average NLP sites.

Yes, I see that it is completely overboard at the moment. The introduction seems to be ok at the moment, except that the epistemology should really be part of the methods section. As NLP does entail quite some controversial claims, it does seem appropriate to state the bounds of NLP as has been attempted already. Added to the list could also be claims to heal cancer, improve crystal healing, predict winning lottery numbers, increace the power of charms, in addition to the speed seduction claims already there. This could be done in note form in order to make unspamlike and informative. A clear summing up/future of nlp section would help begin the info reduction effort also. Regards D.Right 12:06, 27 May 2005 (UTC)

Title

Is there a reason the title isn't bolded? I mean a subject such as this... you probably have other things to worry about.... N/M... I'll bold it for yas.

Criticism

The Criticism section does not cover the criticisms made about NLP by the scientific community, instead what it is really covering is the criticisms leveled at one-another between different factions within the NLP community.

Specifically how about covering some of the following:

- Many of NLPs core methods have little scientific basis, and in some cases have been shown to be completely ineffective. For example Ancoring, Modelling behavior using "submodalities", and use of hypnosis. When the article states: "Find the client's internal representations and/or processes which drive the problem behavior. If you change the representations and/or the way they are processed, you will often change the behavior", what proof of this is there?

- There is no scientific proof that subtle internal emotional states are linked to some externally observable bodily cues -- whether it be breathing, posture, eye position or what ever.

- "Submodalities" and the whole notation that people are primarily "visual, kinesthetic, auditory, etc" is dubious. What proof exists that people's thought processes are linked to these bodily senses, as is claimed by NLP.

- There are no serious studies showing that anyone that has undergone NLP treatment has been helped with their depression, phobia, etc. If you claim there has been then please reference them!!

- The claim that NLP can't be submitted to rigorous scientific investigation is bunk; it's an excuse at best. If NLP produces results, then surely these results can be measured. It can be as simple as comparing 100 NLP treated patients against 100 non-NLP treated patients.

Yes, this seems to be good fact and reasoning. And I have heard or read this kind of thing coming from people who know (psychologists usually). The section could do with this kind of quality. References would also be useful. regards EBlack 21:49, 20 July 2005 (UTC)

The section titled "NLP is not a science" is about as biased a section I have read in Wikipedia. Statements such as, "In sum, NLP promotes methods which are verifiable and have so far been found to be largely false, inaccurate or ineffective," demonstrate extreme POV and it needs to be cleaned up.--Agiantman 11:26, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

It needs work. But the fact is, according to documented science, NLP models have been tested, and according to the sum of the studies produced, they found that the methods were verifiable, and they were false overall. It is quite a measured statement. If you could find a way to make it more precise, then go ahead.

As far as the new age/scientology/EST connection goes, it is a historical fact. I don’t think you can change history. Regards D.Right 15:09, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Sources, please? I don't think there's any evidence that Grinder and Bandler's original work was highly influenced by any of "new age", "scientology", or "EST". If you want to argue that, it's not NPOV without sources. I'm re-removing the paragraph in question since it violates NPOV. --Randal L. Schwartz 15:16, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

No problem Randal. Here is one for teasing starters: http://www.timboucher.com/journal/2005/06/30/landmark-forum-scientology/ And there is a seminal and review based academic source entitled: Mind Myths: Exploring Popular Assumptions About the Mind and Brain (Paperback) by Sergio Della Sala (Editor). I can paste a whole thesis about the inextricable historical, cultural, theoretical, and philosophical links between NLP, Scientology and new age notions on this discussion page if you like. Regards D.Right 15:57, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

But your source doesn't state any facts about NLP being directly influenced by Scientology or EST. That's not a source. Admitttedly, I'm an insider here. I've worked with people directly trained by Grinder and Bandler, and studied the published work of early NLP. I also did a lot of Werner Erhard's programs during the mid-80's. I can say directly as an insider that there's no direct connection, other than the fact that a lot of people studied both. So, if you can find a real source that talks about how Grinder and Bandler deliberately took EST or Scientology into their work, I'll let the paragraph stand. Otherwise, it's POV. --Randal L. Schwartz 16:04, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Continuing for a moment... I think the problem with the way you put it is that you paint them all with one brush. There are sane people in the world that would easily discount EST and Scientology that would legitmately support NLP. Maybe you don't, but that's why it's POV. [grin]. When I reviewed the rest of the article, it says what you're trying to say (people can be programmed and deprogrammed) without the smearing of the "new age" label on it. So let the rest of the article speak for itself, and leave out the POV lumping of NLP in with EST and Scientology --Randal L. Schwartz 16:12, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Well, I am as sane as any researcher can be. If you look at the references presented, you will find that the documents they refer to state facts, as I have done. Let me remind you that this issue is about NLP, not me! D.Right 18:22, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Please don't put that Scientology nonsense in again without sourcing it. And it should be well regarded as fact if it is included in the introduction (i.e., actual cites to Bandler, Grinder, etc.)The idea that a technology that involves the processing and manipulation of natural language somehow relates to that Scientology alien nonsense is absurd. I am not sure if it is repeatedly added here to wrongfully give credit to Scientology for the discovery of NLP or to disparage NLP. Because NLP can be a very powerful manipulative tool, I can imagine a cult unethically abusing it to brainwash their followers. Maybe that's what your source says.--Agiantman 19:07, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

BTW - I regularly use NLP to pick up women and in the work environment (mirroring, creating positive states, anchoring, patterns, weasel words, etc.) and I know how scary effective it is. The suggestion by some here that it does not work conflicts with my own experience. Also, Tony Robbins' millions in repeat business are testament to its effectiveness.--Agiantman 19:07, 1 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello Randal. It is clear that you are promoting NLP. Your opinion is ok, but please stop posting these mindcrippling adverts. I was involved in some NLP groups in the past, but no longer. It really does not rely on science at all. It is totally dependent on misleading and disproved pseudoscience. Everything from suppositions to metamodels are set up to soften the punter to buy into more of the same nonsense - until you start getting into the NLP concepts of magic and occult. Then, if you are still sane, you will realise you have wasted your money on stuff you could have very easily have done without. I'll level with you. I'm ex forces myself. You are a man, right? Why should you learn this NLP underhand and dodgy stuff for doing something you are well entitled to by birth? Be a man! A.Turner 16:08, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Interesting, User:A.Turner, that you cannot distinguish between [[User::Agiantman]] and me. I am not posting adverts. I'm merely trying to set the record straight about NLP's origins (not pseudoscience) from some of the claims of people that are using it (to which I would agree is snake oil). Unfortunately, when you paint the whole field with the snake-oil brush, you are denying the legitmate claims. Sad. But I have other battles to fight, so whatever misinformation remains here will have to be for someone else to correct. --Randal L. Schwartz 17:00, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Well Sorry, mate! My mistake, but you seem to be associating yourself with some very dubious types. What's more you seem to be associating yourself with the claims of charlatans. These people spread the proverbial bull like nobody else. From my own searches, I have discovered that not all is well with the founding fathers of NLP. They seem to be intent on shoveling some very iffy stuff my way, and you seem to be part of that shoveling. It is not a pleasant experience. A.Turner 18:38, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Yes, the cult association with NLP is undeniable. Whether it is because of any innate occult power, or it simply contains ingredients that cult leaders and followers find appealing, who knows? The fact is though it was derived from the success of previous cults and quasi-religions such as scientology. I myself have no interest in Tom Cruise, or learning to pick up women using unethical covert methods, command hypnosis or whatever. My main interest here is to report the facts in an encyclopedic fashion. Perhaps you missed it, but I did quote a very solid source: Mind Myths: Exploring Popular Assumptions About the Mind and Brain, by Sergio Della Sala (Editor).

Here is an extract from one of the related peer reviewed journals: "Scientology and NLP are historically, psychologically and sociologically one in the same in that they: are based on hypnotism or command suggestion, they are generally thought to be religions or quasi-religious cults, they encourage dangerous dissociative delusions for “treatment”, they claim to make use of covert suggestion, they derive their beliefs from new age notions of superhuman potential and reincarnation, they infer the same lists of claimed benefits, they use hypnotic regression and past life regression, they refer to pseudoscientific principles (often long since debunked by science), they actively encourage occult notions of black magic through anecdotes by their founding authority figures, they both make liberal use of outlandish stories for indoctrination, and they suggest that people require re-programmed through clearing processes, they both use the 90% or 99% mind potential myth, and they both pay homage to misleading left/right brain myths". I will consolodate and integrate these facts with the article. D.Right 07:01, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

That is pure wackiness and an extreme minority view from the same people who associate Halloween with Satan. NLP is a set of psychological and linguistic tools that can be used to manipulate others by understanding how people process natural language. NLP is not a cult. There is no organization, no leader, and nothing to buy. Scientology is a cult. I detest cults and cult-like organizations such as Scientology and EST. I acknowledge that NLP can be used by those groups to manipulate and brainwash followers. But NLP is also a cult fighter: once you know about NLP and brainwashing techniques, you can better guard against their use by a cult. But Scientology and EST had absolutely nothing to do with the formation of NLP and you will not be able to provide any evidence to support that. I will be looking for your citations to primary sources. I will revert nonsense.--Agiantman 11:15, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

BTW - You may not like the ladies, but others here may. I recommend that anyone who wants to have better success with women to look into the works of the great Ross Jeffries, author of "How To Get The Women You Desire Into Bed," who teaches guys how to manipulate women into the sack with NLP. Here is a Playboy article discussing Jeffries and NLP.http://www.seduction.com/playboy.asp Please note the absence of references to Scientology, EST, "clearing," etc. in the article. LOL!--Agiantman 11:15, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

I notice that d.right did not name his peer reviewed source. It is "Conspiracy Theory Monthly."--Mr j galt 14:02, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

The thought of some greasy talking Tony Robbins wannabe drooling NLP pick up lines to the women I know just makes me laugh. I'm sure the world laughs with me. Truly, you should dispense with the wikispam. This is not the place for Ross Jeffries psychic pickups or remote kahuna black magic NLP. Here is at least one simple link you could follow that shows people do consider NLP to be programming, or mind programming, or command hypnosis.

 http://psychicinvestigator.com/demo/Cults.htm

NLP has its gurus, as is evident by what you have admitted. NLP originated as a new age based pseudoscientific (not real psychology) large group awareness sessions, just like EST, and uses hypnotic language, and pretend science just like scientology. It pretends to be scientific, but has yet to show positive overall results. That is fact. D.Right 14:12, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

"NLP originated as a new age based pseudoscientific (not real psychology) large group awareness sessions ... That is a fact." - this shows you don't know enough about NLP to be editing this article with NPOV, because this is definitely not the case. You've clearly not studied the literature. You're also mixing up NLP (as a science, and yes, it was created by scientists Grinder and Bandler in their post-doc studies), with what 'some' people did with it afterwards. Please stop lumping NLP in with everything else you are (perhaps irrationally) afraid of. --Randal L. Schwartz 14:18, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

According to the very structure of their writing, NLP is a new age concept. Scientology was not the inspiration for NLP though. However, it was a strong influence. Wikipedia requires a certain amount of association with related subjects. New age thinking and scientology are valid in this respect. DoctorDog 15:51, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

New Age? Do you think trying to get women into bed is a "new age" activity? And how is "new age"-- a term coined in the late 1980's-- applied to NLP-- which was created in the early 1970's, or even Scientology, which started in the 1950's? --Agiantman 20:08, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

I did not associate new age with ultimate power within, magic psychic NLP seduction, although, now you mention it! And new age roots originated way before the turn of the 20th century, according to most historians. They stem from early religions and cults of pre-Christian era, and involve philosophies that include re-incarnation, subjective knowledge etc. So new age is the umbrella for scientology hypnotic mental programming and NLP hypnotic mental programming. When you desperately try to wang a weasle phrase on your unatainable wet dream, you are not exhibiting a solid knowledge of psychology, but rather a strong association with the occult. DoctorDog 21:19, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

And DoctorDog, I am still waiting for the named source for your opinions. Sergio Della Sala's book looks to be a credible source, but it is the only one you haven't quoted here so I am not sure that it stands for your proposition. I have learned here that there are some people (probably not many) that misperceive NLP as a cult. That is an interesting fact that I will include in the Criticism section when I redraft that part.--Agiantman 20:32, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

What is wrong with cults? Some of them are positive! I will reiterate what the other chap posted because this statement says a great deal: "Scientology and NLP are historically, psychologically and sociologically one in the same in that they: are based on hypnotism or command suggestion, they are generally thought to be religions or quasi-religious cults, they encourage dangerous dissociative delusions for “treatment”, they claim to make use of covert suggestion, they derive their beliefs from new age notions of superhuman potential and reincarnation, they infer the same lists of claimed benefits, they use hypnotic regression and past life regression, they refer to pseudoscientific principles (often long since debunked by science), they actively encourage occult notions of black magic through anecdotes by their founding authority figures, they both make liberal use of outlandish stories for indoctrination, and they suggest that people require re-programmed through clearing processes, they both use the 90% or 99% mind potential myth, and they both pay homage to misleading left/right brain myths". Sala's book is good and points the way to other similar sources. I believe common knowledge is that NLP, scientology, EFT, etc are all part of the same new age set of notions. The statement above actually comes from a very good source. If you patiently took your time to search for it, without demanding source upon source, then perhaps you would gain some kind of consensus. Till then! DoctorDog 21:05, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Am I to assume that DoctorDog and D.Right are different individuals who share the same fringe views, have read the same obscure Sala book, and are familiar with the same "very good source" but refuse to name it? LOL! I guess I could pull the university library apart book by book searching for the "very good source," but I think it would be easier if one (or both of you) just told us what it is.--Agiantman 21:28, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi NLP loverboys. I have the source! I have also looked around for validation for NLP's unique claims for many years without ever coming across any truth in those claims. I have come across many very obvious associations between NLP and other cults. I am also not very happy with your abusive guru worshiping tone. So if you really want the actual source, ISBN code, page numbers, author, associated references, publication and year, -- go fetch!Authopten 22:20, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Come on guys! Lets keep it civil! As far as minority views are concerned, China and a large section of the Catholic and some of the larger Christian churches, especially in the US, recognise that NLP and Scientology are in the same category. In the US, scientology is considered a religion. In Europe and the rest of the world scientology is is a cult, and generally thought to have given rise to all the other large group awareness concerns of NLP, EST, Landmark Forums etc. A lot of the German and Swiss sites are very concerned with these relations. They often report NLP stemming from Scientology in this respect. I am open to all views, but lets face it, NLP devotees are fairly likely to be extremely biased, condidering the "new age religion" or "mind power" nature of NLP books you get in the spirit section of the bookstore, and the evangelical large group NLP seminars that are sold. JuneD 23:52, 2 August 2005 (UTC)

Hey! What happened to my favorite sockpuppet, D.Right? This guy uses so many sockpuppet names, I can't keep track. I am Catholic and I have never heard NLP mentioned in church or seen it mentioned in the diocese newspaper. If you think your thoughts are mainstream, you are too involved in some fringe religious sect. Again, NLP is a set of psychological and linguistic tools that can be used to manipulate others by understanding how people process natural language. NLP is not a cult. There is no organization, no leader, and nothing to buy. I have never been to the spirit section of the bookstore. On second thought, with the occult references here, should I believe that NLP is really Satan's toolbox and the power of NLP is testament to the power of the Lord of Darkness? Has Ross Jeffries lured me unwittingly into devil worship?--Agiantman 00:08, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Now you are just being silly! NLP is considered a new age notion, and Bandler is considered a new age guru with a cult following according to many sources including these---The Bandler Method Clancy, Frank, Yorkshire, Heidi. Mother Jones. San Francisco: Feb 1989. Vol. 14. The Times. London (UK): Sep 5, 2001. pg. Creme.4. Scientology case settled out of court; [CITY EDITION] MARY CAROLAN. Irish Times. Dublin: Mar 14, 2003. pg. 4 Self-directed change in a well-balanced way; [Management Times Edition] Goh Chooi Chin. New Straits Times. Kuala Lumpur: Feb 27, 1996. pg. 11 "Money is just spiritual energy": Incorporating the new age Lisa Aldred. Journal of Popular Culture. Bowling Green: Spring 2002. Vol. 35, I'm sure nobody is saying it is an evil or satanic cult. Regards JuneD 00:17, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Hey those are some respected heavyweight peer reviewed sources! LOL! I just read the Mother Jones article "The Bandler Method."[3] It is a fascinating read about one of the co-founders and good info for the Bandler page. Contrary to your assertions though, the article specifically states, "Bandler was never a guru in any traditional sense" and there are zero references to Scientology, e-meters, EST, and "the occult." The foreign article "Scientology case settled out of court"[4] makes no mention to NLP, it is about Scientology. "Money is just spiritual energy: incorporating the New Age"[5] also makes no reference to NLP. So much for your silly "sources."--Agiantman 01:28, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Yes, these are some quick searches that anyone can do on the web using google. Simply type in the related keywords and you will come up with facts about NLP gurus such as Bandler and Robbins being NEW AGE and SCIENTOLOGY involving MIND CONTROL etc. The Bandler article is particularly interesting though. Lots of unethical persuasion going on there including claiming to be a Doctor, with no PhD. I like this extra one by Dave Barry http://www.lynxfeather.net/nest/humor/2002/alteredstates.html These were simply to induce you to look up the rest of the close associations between NLP Scientology and other new age movements. There are many, in many languages. Regards JuneD 06:03, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

No Scientology Roots or Association?

I am not sure if the "new age" label that JuneD and fellow sockpuppets attribute to NLP really matters. "New age" to me conjures up images of Yanni music and yoga, not NLP. I doubt John Tesh and Ross Jeffries have much in common. I guess "new age" has some negative connotations in the right-wing Christian community, but to most people, "new age" things just seem liberal, a little out of touch, and otherwise harmless.--Agiantman 11:41, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

The attempt to associate Scientology to NLP is more troubling, suggesting that anyone who learns about NLP is really getting involved in a cult. Again, NLP is a set of psychological and linguistic tools that can be used to manipulate others by understanding how people process natural language. NLP is not a cult. There is no organization, no leader, and nothing to buy. Are there articles on the Internet about Scientology and NLP? Sure. Why? Because cults are effective at mind control and NLP tools can be used to manipulate people's minds. Does or did Scientology, the Moonies, EST, Heaven's Gate, David Koresh, Jim Jones, etc. use NLP? I bet they have and do, but so does the US Army, therapists, car salesmen, pick-up artists, and motivational speakers. Just because a cult may use NLP tools to indoctrinate people in their cult, does not mean the cult created or has any impact on NLP. I assure you that a cult will not teach what NLP is to their followers, or else their devotees would realize that they are being manipulated the same day and walk out. If Tom Cruise learned about NLP, he would be telling us how he had been fooled, that he could now see through all of Scientology's tactics and the Scientology teachings are full of wacky alien nonsense.--Agiantman 11:41, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi again Agi. New agey ideas are really quite flakey, as you say. However they are so intrinsic to NLP now that they are inseparable, for example http://www.ppimk.com/links/nlp-links49.htm

Also, it is very clear from these adverts that Ross Jeffries is even more new age than John Tesh: http://www.seduction.com/products/RJ170.asp. Here he is advertising magick products, involving new age concepts of psychic influence, etc. As you say, this kind of thing looks a little out of touch. Harmless is probably right, although there are some ethical problems that may need ironing out.

I repeat, I don’t believe anyone here is saying that NLP is a destructive cult. But NLP has a strong cult following. Perhaps you take the cult label too negatively. Again, I agree with your belief that NLP is designed to manipulate using specific devices and tools. This is how it is marketed. For example: http://www.xtrememind.com/. This sells techniques that encourage this kind of manipulation. Whether it works or not is perhaps not the issue yet. There are ethical issues to cover though. One point of distinction though is the leadership issue. NLP is often used by cults that have leaders. And there are a lot of things to buy. Also, NLP has its own gurus who have cult followings. This is a fact. Also, these gurus stand to gain financially from their followers. I understand what you mean about Mr Cruise:) I have watched Oprah! But his alleged belief in planet Zog is really only as ridiculous as Ross Jeffries manipulating the belief in psychic influence or thoughtballs. At least, to most rational people looking in from the outside. It appears that NLP is being used to sell those myths also, in the same way that Scientology manipulates the belief in aliens. So the connections here are interesting and intricate, and the links are very strong.JuneD 12:14, 3 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi Agiantman. You are deleting facts that have already been sourced (eg psychic ability and NLP, new age connections with NLP, etc) on the article page, and this one. I quite understand your desperate chagrin at the facts being unsupportive to your Ross Jeffries NLP magick Kahuna devotion. And a tidied or re-arranged paragraph does not need sources for it to be valid. I added the source in the link section that actually treats the NLP scientology connection very mildly. I do, on the other hand, have other sources from published cult recovery manuals that will be very good at hilighting NLP's unethical and cultlike nature and use, and its close relations with Scientology, Dianetics, EST, Aum, Branch Davidians etc.... D.Right 03:07, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

I think we can work this out. That link to Jeffries' Secrets Of "Kick-Butt" Magick and Psychic…Influence[6] was funny but i think it proved your point. So i thing some references to new age and even psychic nonsense is fine. i also don't disagree that NLP is used by Scientology, Dianetics, EST, Aum, Branch Davidians because I don't know what other mind manipulation techniques they would use. But cults don't teach NLP, they use it against their victims. One thing I don't understand is the recurring statements in the article that NLP is somehow ineffective. If all of these cults are using it, and they seem to be developing slavish devotees, how can you or anyone else argue it ineffective? (And what about all the women I pick up?) You cant have it both ways: either it is ineffective or its very effective and abused by cults. I think Tom Cruise is the posterboy for the effectiveness of NLP's techniques.--Agiantman 12:46, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

Yes I also believe we can positively work this out according to wikipedia ways. Wikipedia takes a neutral tone with all sides. NLP is considered variously by many different views. One says that it is a technology of achievement (but has yet to prove any effectiveness), another view says it is the bees knees (the business if you like) in terms of being able to change your life, improve your earnings, gain better futures and make everything nice, new agey and fluffy, other views say it is useful for psyching out your opposition in a totally unfair and covert way, and other views would say it is a philosophy that views reality as variable according to what excuses you want to make up at the time. All views agree that NLP is about programming and re-programming the mind. Scientology is the same in this respect, and the philosophies connect on all levels. So not only can we have it both ways, but we can have it all ways. And fortunately, that is the way the page is heading. Here is some more knowledge from books; Cults do teach NLP - to their recruiters. Some NLP groups have been labeled cults. Most cult awareness bodies identify NLP as a cult that manipulates people. They don't like manipulation; it is something unscrupulous people resort to. You seem to have resorted to it! It doesn't really matter what you believe about cults and NLP. There are documented facts from various sources, and they will be presented, one way or another. NLP, Tom Cruise, and Scientology, do triangulate very strongly. Regards D.Right 14:34, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

NLP is a set of tools. It is not an organization. There is no leader. There is nothing to buy. There is no NLP headquarters. And no one is trying to bring in NLP converts. Are there people selling books, tapes, DVDs, etc. to teach NLP techniques? Sure, but that's no different than people selling books, tapes, and DVDs on how to exercise or how to lose weight. That doesn't make "weight loss" a cult or "exercise" a cult.--Agiantman 21:08, 5 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello once again. Your view of NLP has been represented. But there are NLP organisations that use covert and unethical recruitment and manipulation techniques. There are books, tapes, seminars etc that they want to sell, and people buy them. And they desperately want repeat buyers (devotees). Some views say that cults and NLP developers saw the coersion technqies of various earlier cults such as Dianetics and EST, and said "That makes money for them! It will work for us!" It is definitely another view, and the unethical issues are clear. D.Right 04:28, 6 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello RandalSchwartz. If you have a reference to connect the roots and background principles of IBM and NLP, then please supply them. Otherwise, revert the properly researched and referenced scientology, new age, and NLP information that was there before. Alternatively, like the persistent wikipedian that I am, I will do it for the sake of the article. Nobody is saying that any of these things are evil. D.Right 09:54, 9 August 2005 (UTC)

D.Right - I am still waiting for credible reviewed evidence from you that shows that NLP was derived from Scientology. You seem to want to paint a broad brush across everything that you don't completely understand, perhaps through paranoia. The original NLP technology is not Scientology. Some followers of Scientology may use NLP techniques, but by that linking, you should also be saying that English is evil because the Scientologists use that. Your motivation here is in question. I'm trying to reduce the NLP article to a NPOV, but you keep bringing in your hallucinations. Would you please simply admit that NLP is a science (or pseudo science, if you must), without linking it with everything else "new age" in one stroke? If you wanna edit the New Age page and put NLP there, go ahead. But it doesn't belong here. I offer direct, first person observations, factually based. You offer only links to paranoid websites that feed off each other in fear of what they don't understand --Randal L. Schwartz 15:11, 9 August 2005 (UTC)

OK good. A reference is not an hallucination. When we talk of NLP it would be well to place it in an historical context. If we have nothing to compare it with, then it is just floating on its own. Historically, it was part of a trend in new age thinking that was spurred by writers such as the general semantics chap and some science fiction writers (who also raved about scientology). The original book came out around the time Bandler was certified as a shaman and a self help guru. The whole trend surfaced due to the new age and the increased financial success of Scientology. All of these groups have the same fundamental philosophy. That bad stuff gets programmed and you need to reprogram it. If you get bogged down in the hype and pseudoscientific pretend terminology of NLP you will end up more blinkered than Tom Cruise. NLP claims to be a technology or science of achievement, and uses hypnosis. Dianetics claims to be a technology or science of achievement and uses hypnosis. You will find them rubbing shoulders in all the bookshops. They are also very historically connected. I can post yet another real book reference from another professionally affiliated Phd holder if you need that reassurance? I have started to make the article more historical just to soften it up for NLP devotees such as yourself. I wouldn't want to brutally smash your delusions of santa Bandler and the evil witch Hubbard, after all. But one thing remains. NLP has become a big mishmash of new age notions. Do any search on any search engine and that is what you will see. Flakesville! It is a product of 20th century history. D.Right 16:30, 9 August 2005 (UTC)

To give an example of the techniques of NLP being used AND proven for all to see, a recent TV program in the United Kingdom by a well-known hypnotist, Paul McKenna was aired for a number of weeks whereby he took NLP techniques (anchoring, state changes etc) to positively influence people with phobias, disease and other difficulties. I cannot put them all here, but they are available for those doubting the integrity of NLP practice or the effectiveness of said techniques. I'm sure there's something online about the program on Sky 1 by Paul McKenna. Happy hunting. [User:D.Stevens]

D.Right, please tell me where I can become a "certified shaman." That sounds interesting. Thanks.--Agiantman 01:57, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi Agi antman. Here is a link for you to follow http://www.nlpiash.org/98WHpresentations.htm Have fun! D.Right 06:17, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Hello D.Stevens. Paul Mckenna wrote a book called The Paranormal World of Paul McKenna. He also does some exorcism "acts". Do I need to say more? I think it was him or someone equally balding who hypnotized someone's headaches away for them (this is medically possible). Unfortunately, they had a brain tumour and by the time the headaches came back it was too late to treat conventionally (RIP). Nice one, lovely fluffy ethically responsible sciencephobic NLPee-ers. D.Right 06:17, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi RandalSchwartz. Here is yet another link that places NLP well and truly in the new age. http://www.lifepositive.com/Mind/psychology/stress/stress-reduction.asp It even gives an explanation of NLP that is an exact facimile of an explanation for dianetics "the technology of achievement". D.Right 06:42, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

If you want to label New Age to 'everything that changes people, sure. But I think that definition would then apply to IBM Corporate Culture, as I mocked a few changes ago. I don't see anything there that makes it equate to dianetics, and yes, I'm very familiar with both. --Randal L. Schwartz 08:12, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi RandalSchwartz. Here is a link to new age concepts and roots New Age. It strongly correlates to NLP chronologically, and in how NLP has developed. People are seeking methods of change which traditional christianity doesn't seem to have. Dianetics promises the same sorts of methods. They are both about altered states of conciousness (which may not even exist) for the purpose of self improvement. Lets just say, when you are looking for something to help people place NLP in their mental framework, psychology, linguistics, philosophy etc really do not come close. But dianetics especially, and scientology are the closest entities to NLP. They are not only close, they overlap almost to their entirety. I can see why some people would want to distance their NLP hobby from dianetics, but people pick up these subjects for the same reasons. They want to have a prescription for life, to evolve themselves, to grasp the vagueries of life, and to gain more personal power for communicating, business, healing etc. I have done quite some study on new age ideals and LGATs etc, and NLP really is just a new improved and more popular version of dianetics, with more pseudoscience and magick baloney tacked on. D.Right 10:38, 10 August 2005 (UTC)

D.Right, The classifcation of NLP or it's activies as a cult, cult-like or "New Age" is almost meaningless. The definitions of "cult" or "New age" are so broad as to include anything outside of Orthodoxy. I have personally trained with many people from many different religions, including a Catholic minister who wanted to improve his presentation and counseling skills. I know of two Islamic followers who also have trained in NLP, one of them had a Ph.D in linguistics and completed NLP trainers training now teaches Islamic studies at an Australian university. The point I want to make is that NLP in respect to religion is ethically neutral.

I understand your view. It is not my view exactly, but it is a referenced view that supports the other evidence from cult manuals that NLP is being used by aggressive cults etc. BTW, my village had a catholic minister who coerced small boys into illegal sexual acts. A cult is not a religion. In this way, it is more closely related to dianetics than scientology. The new age notions match so closely you could say dianetics is the older twin. D.Right 11:36, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

D.Right, Please explain your logic in assigning Dianetics to the same class as Neuro-Linguistic Programming. In response to your first point about "consciousness", in NLP, consciousness (or conscious attention) is defined as what we are attending to at any one time, ie. what we can see, hear, feel, taste, smell. Unconscious attention is defined as everything else that is contained within our neurology. There is nothing mystical in either definition.

D.Right, I like how you used the term NLP Hobby. NLP Hobbyists, those who claim to be trained in NLP but have no real qualifications are problematic. -Comaze

There is presently a course running in London headed by Paul Mckenna and R Bandler. Everyone passes, no matter what! Are they superteachers? OR is it problematic? D.Right 11:36, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

That is a valid argument in my opinion. I think that attendance based passing is problematic if people attend the course, then pass without passing any assessment for competency, then claim to offer services in NLP. In my opinion, a short (hobby) course, with no assessment for competency is not enough to actually offer services in NLP. Again, there is a different between hobbyists and properly trained practitioners. --Comaze 22:01, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

John Grinder quotes - psychic powers, mysticsm, idealist, empiricism

"...like my response to the notion of so-called psychic powers, I wouldn't bloody know because I have not yet refined my own sensory apparatus the five channels that I already know about. I have worlds upon worlds yet to discover within what I know to be available to me as part of my heritage as a human being." (John Grinder, (1986), Turtles all the way down, page 16) - Comaze

So he uses occult notions in his NLP seminars to say we have boundless potential and may be capable of magical amazing fluffy feats of mystery. Yes I know! I wonder when he will start claiming it is all part of his NLP epistemology! D.Right 07:57, 13 August 2005 (UTC)

In NLP we tread the fine line of synthesizing the two classical polar opposites of empiricism and idealist traditions ... "without appealing to mysticism" (Grinder & Delozier, Turtles 1986) - Comaze

Further, in Turtles Grinder says, "The transforms of Bateson; the process tools of the 4-tuple, representation systems, synesthesia patterns, Meta-models of language: all are cornerstones in the exploration of this mapping between sense impression and concepts." (Grinder & Delozier, Turtles 1986) - Comaze

Actually, I find this interesting. He is treating the two traditions as polar. However, most of Empiricism ideals stemmed from idealist traditions and the philosophies that ensued. Also, NLP has slipped so far into mysticism that it would take an army of towtrucks to haul it only halfway out. The sense impression and concepts really is just metaphor though. Which basically means it is rhetoric. Science, to date, has found that you cannot even convincingly or usefully seperate visuo and spatial as seperate factors or constructs in the visuospatial thinking of humans. So his views may be worth posting, but they are extreme to the point of hyperbole. D.Right 12:25, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Firstly, Grinder is not saying that the two traditions are polar. He is really saying the two extremes best represented by Kant and Hume, are polar opposites. - Comaze.

The "mapping sense impressions to concepts" idea also is supported by Albert Einstien talking about the difference between reality and the representations of reality. (Albert Einstein, Autobiographical notes p.13, see also, Physics and Reality, p.292). Also, the quote from Grinder should have read, "without appealing to mysticism". This was influenced by Bateson's who typically would start with Empiricism and attempt rebalance it. In describing the NLP epistemology Grinder found that the typical westerner would consider epistemology (study of our values, beliefs and perceptions) as esoteric. (Turtles, 1986) - Comaze

OK, now you are saying that NLP was inspired by Einsteinian thought? I believe you will need a great deal more support than what is there already. The other information looks great. D.Right 05:19, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

What is your source for saying that NLP was inspired by Einsteinian thought? Dilts did some study Einstein and published his findings in Structure of Genius series. --Comaze 01:10, 17 August 2005 (UTC)- Comaze

Clearing and Re-Programming Nonsense

One editor here so desperately wants others to believe NLP is a "cult" (LOL), he makes up nonsense about the need to be "cleared" (obviously a scientology reference) and the need to be reprogrammed. Anyone who knows about NLP knows you don't need to be reprogrammed to use NLP techniques or be "cleared," whatever that means. I will continue to revert that nonsense until he provides a legitimate source.--Agiantman 03:40, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Well I'm not sure about your feeling but I am enjoying this. I have learned a huge amount about NLP. I even went to a lecture about it at a university. Reprogramming is a common word in NLP manuals. Here is a foolproof pointer for you just for starters [7]. I believe the word programming may also be relevant to NLP, somewhere. Perhaps you could point out where it fits into NLP! I took the clearing phrase away though. I guess it was a remnant that you have only just noticed. I will replace it when I find an NLP manual that talks of clearing. Anyway, the reference is in place now. I hope you find it reassuring! If not, I have a lot of other references to go in its place. They will be a lot more incriminating though. D.Right 04:30, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Well it didn't take long. NLP uses clearing techniques, refers to them as clearing techniques, and sells products that promote the clearing of traumas. So I agree with you that NLP clearing and reprogramming techniques are probably nonsense. Thanks much for the encouragement! D.Right 05:36, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

When one uses NLP to pick-up women or sell goods (the most common uses of NLP), no one is cleared of trauma (or anything else). No one is "reprogrammed." The programming aspect of NLP is a reference to the cultural/linguistic programming and conditioning that we all subtlely receive as we grow up. NLP tools use the knowledge that people have been "programmed" by society to lead them. People are not programmed (or reprogrammed) by some cult programmer. Your strange opinions and paranoia about NLP are funny to me. --Agiantman 14:52, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Well from what I can see, most people who are interested actually get into NLP to learn the technology of excellence and overcome insecurities. They tend to be insecure people, and people who are fooled easily. D.Right 15:32, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Fooled easily? I think people who buy Tony Robbins tapes are just normal everday people into self-improvement. I was just looking to get an edge on the competition. Don't you think NLP works? If NLP doesn't work, how am I now able to get great looking ladies into the sack? How do those cults turn people into slavish knuckleheads? You can download Ross Jeffries mp3's from limewire, etc. I wish you would give it a shot. --Agiantman 17:53, 14 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi Agiantman. My view is that NLP doesn't work. I have evidence from rigorous scientific reviews to support my view. There are other views, which will also be heard. I have read Ross Jeffries' and was quite concerned about his BJ patterns. I have to say, I never got any desire to perform fellatio on him. Why do you feel so compelled to obey his commands? Using covert NLP commands in a feeble attempt to circumvent discerning females' conciousness is both impotent and unethical. And when it falls flat, you must feel very insecure. Why not just behave like a real man? D.Right 05:19, 15 August 2005 (UTC)

It's my understanding that Bandler and Grinder originally developed the idea of NLP because they wanted to determine why certain professionals, notably salespeople, were more successful than others. They were able to narrow down the reason to the communication techniques used by these successful salespeople. They identified many elements, including "embedded commands", "body language", "mimicking" and "pacing". Additional elements that are part of NLP are phonetic ambiguity, and choosing your wording so that not only the explicit and literal meaning of your words conveys your message, but also the tangential connotations help to reach the goal of your communication. NLP maintains that the meaning of your communication is the result (answer) you are getting.

We are not talking about a field that lends itself as easily to the scientific measurement POV as say, physics or chemistry or engineering would. Nevertheless, I'm sure many, many people will vouch that NLP techniques of one kind or another (since there are many - and they have evolved from the original work of Bandler and Grinder) are very useful to help them achieve their goals. From salepeople, to motivational speakers, to substance abuse counselors, and yes, even apparently for men wishing to improve the quality of their relationship with women, there are untold numbers who can vouch for the effectiveness and validity of NLP. NLP basically makes you aware that we communicate on several more levels than the merely verbal, and that if you wish to convey a powerful and congruent message that reaches your audience, and realizes the outcome you wish from the communication, it is wise to learn all these levels, or modes of communication. Intersofia 02:46, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

Thank you Intersofia. Yes, there are testimonials and anecdotes all over the web. But the actual research that has been conducted indicates that it does not work in general. I have the source references for evidence. I also know NLP instructors who will say the same thing. They genenerally do not let science bother them though, and continue to do what they think is beneficial. But for an encyclopedia, the scientific and historical views must be taken into account. Your view is also valid though. Regards EBlack 04:53, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

Ecology, Emergence and Psycholgy

Grinder and Bostic (2003) have published a paper about Epistemology, Knowledge, & Perception with Tom Malloy of University of Utah, Psych Department. [8]

Their paper is titled Steps to an Ecology of Emergence and is available online... [9]

Eye Accessing / Eye Tracking Research

I'm digging up references for research into the supporting eye Accessing cues and representational systems. This is a start,

1. Eye Tracking (cognitive science), [10]
2. [Lee F.: An investigation of eye movements and representational systems. Dissertation Abstracts International 38(10), 4992-B Ball State University, 158 pp. Order = 7803828, 197]
3. [M . J.: Stability and inter rater reliability of visual accessing cues. Winteler, A. UnivBW Fak SOWI, Dissertation, 1983.]
4. There has been some studies of Eye Accessing Cues using PET technology. Can someone find the sources?

Yes, I have sources, and they are reviews and overviews of the research. They indicate that eye accessing cues is not effective and tells you nothing useful.D.Right 16:22, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

Do you have a link to the research of Eye Accessing Cues using PET technology?

There are more links and references to research to backup what we have observed in NLP...

1. [11]

Unqualified v. qualified practitioners

The difference between qualified NLP practitioners and unqualified NLP practitioners is currently not represented in this article. Some countries recognise NLP as a legimate form of psychotherapy. For example, European Association for Neuro-Linguistic Psychotherapy [12]. Also, in Australia there is a government recognised qualification in NLP. [13]

Persuasion research

1. [Donald: A psycholinguistic study of the patterns of persuasion used by successful salespeople. Dissertation Abstracts International 42(5), 2135-B University of Oregon, 271 pp. Order = 8123499, 1981.]

Altering quotes from academic sources to suit the NLP promotion is not persuasive at all. It is called misrepresentation. Why not evangelise the NLP promotion section instead? After all, there seems to be enough hype in the NLP literature to blast Scientology off the stage anyday!D.Right 16:28, 16 August 2005 (UTC)

What misrepresented quotes, specifically? I agree that there is alot of hype in some trainers purporting to use NLP. Find some references and put it in the criticism section, under quality of trainers.

Some NLP trainers / practitioners claim to have a Ph.D or degree from American Pacific University a non-accredited university [14].

Example

For years I have wondered what it is exactly that practicioners of neuro-linguistic programming do. I have searched various sites on the net but most of them want money before they show you anything they really do. Could someone show me at least one common example of an NLP "tool"?

Discussion please

I reverted the article back to the prior information rich version, because a lot of recent changes look suspiciously like someone is trying to turn a criticism section into a promotion section. Here are some specific points: Psychologist's ethical standards including openness and explication of method, writing that a statement is an "accusation" is pov, removing brief examples will reduce the clarity of the piece, and NLP, Dianetics, etc are not just marketed as tech - but the argument appears throughout the whole texts. Now perhaps you would like to discuss these? Keeping it real Thaumaturge 04:34, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

When you made the reversion you added this paragraph full of POV, "The ever changing and uncertain nature of NLP’s concepts and theory, and the negative results of rigorous research, have led to distrust by conventional fields and the close association with snakeoil. Nevertheless, the use of pseudoscience and anecdotal promotion allows it to operate on a commercial scale with a disregard for objective proof of its efficacy, and the “flavour of the month” trends and fads occurring within the NLP concern suggest that NLP will continue to be directed at customers or anyone willing to believe the buzzwords and claims."

POV constantly being added include, "Ever changing concepts": Which concepts are everchanging you referring to and who opinion is that? When in fact, the NLP modeling methodology has not changed since its inception in 1970s. (see eg. Pattern I, Grinder & Bandler, 1975 and Whispering, Grinder & Bostic 2001).

My intention is to follow the NPOV guidelines. For example, I removed "NLP is strongly associated with modern day cults [15](Langone 1993)" and replaced it with, "Gary Tippet of Sunday Age, Australia found that some cults use NLP and hypnotic techniques that, 'manipulates people through subtle language tricks, subliminal messages and body language tricks'[16]." A direct quote, and only text about NLP in that entire document.

Another unfair POV is continually added citing The Skeptics Dictionary as a source, (not a primary source) "However, NLP’s lack of methodology and current (lack of) scientific research effort and results suggests that this attempt at association with science is highly dubious. To date, NLP advocates and other such interested parties have been unconvincing in their efforts to associate NLP with neuroscience [17]." What if we preface it with skeptics say that... --211.30.48.164 09:34, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

If I may, I believe I have a solution. I have noticed that the whole article needs POV improvement work. The statements about NLP in the above article are simply regurgitations from the promotinal books. The style is very devotional to NLP, in a Tom Cruise kind of way. Why not make them a little less android? The only reason the criticism section has some extreme wording is because NLP fans keep deleting the facts and so neutral parties become anti-devotee. The whole article is improving in the sense that more references are appearing. But the delete/revert war is messing it up. So just work on making your POV more acceptable to wiki, without making other's POV disappear! EBlack 13:49, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

Classification of NLP Training as LGAT or Large Group Awareness Training

I am not convinced that NLP can be classified as LGAT. NLP is taught is many different formats. From outdoor "leadership" style courses, small groups to large groups, informal practise groups, one-on-one sessions, apprenticeships, as well as Anthony Robbins style seminars with thousands of participants. Some certifications are attendance based, others have competency assessment. The length of training ranges from hours for an introductory session to 40 days postgraduate study. Classification of all NLP training as LGAT is not accurate. --Comaze 22:31, 17 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi all I added my bit about History of NLP. This is taken from many books, including Andreas and Faulkner's NLP books, and my own experiences in the NLP field. Cheers HeadleyDown 12:23, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

Stick to Basics Please

May I suggest that we should keep only basic factual information in the main article and move all the critique (for and against) to the discussion page for the time being till we reach a consensus. The article is a bit too long and is quite difficult to read. I think "Human Potential Movement" is a more neutral and precise term than "New Age".

Suggested Structure

What is NLP

History of NLP First Generation 1970s Second Generation 1980s-1990s Third Generation 1990s-Present Time

Basic Assumptions of NLP

NLP Models

NLP Applications

--RichardCLeen 15:35, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

Excuse me! When you say factual, do you mean actual history and research, or the promotional buzzwords and hype from the pseudo-academic NLP books by Bandler et al? D.Right 17:38, 18 August 2005 (UTC)

Structure of Magic Vol.I was obviously regarded as useful by Gregory Bateson who wrote an introduction to the book; and Virginia Satir who wrote the foreword quoting, "they seem to come up with a description of the predictable elements that make change happen..." Milton Erickson also wrote about Stucture of Magic Vol.1 saying that is "...a delightful simplification of the infinite complexities of the language I use with patients..." These are all quotes from primary sources.

HeadleyDown,D.Right, Structure of Magic was not transcribed from a seminar. Rather "Structure of Magic, A Book about language and therapy" was written by John Grinder and Richard Bandler after modeling Fritz Perls. It is a technical book and most of the coding of the models is inspired by Transformational Linguistics. , In 1973 John Grinder wrote, A guide to transformational grammar (co-authored with Suzette Elgin, Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1973) and On Deletion Phenomena in English (Mouton & Co., 1972) both books formed the groud-work for the initial coding of NLP (see also. Structure of Magic: A book about language and therapy, eg. Appendix B).--211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

From my experience, it was. I have evidence to show that Frogs into Princes was a tidied transcription.HeadleyDown 03:41, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

HeadleyDown wrote: "The earliest influence on NLP was Alfred Korzybski and general semantics as a new perspective for looking at the world from altered realities and his complex methods of instilling mental hygiene."--211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

HeadleyDown may be confusing general semantics, with George Lakoff's Generative Semantics which had a huge influence on the linguistics of John Grinder (see Appendix B, Structure of Magic I, Grinder & Bandler 1975). It is important to note now (2005) cognitive semantics oppose syntactical approaches to meaning in Generative Semantics. Also, Grinder and Bostic (Whispering 2001) challenge and offer refinements to Korzybski's map/territory distinction. And Alfred Korzybski did not influence NLP directly, "the map is not the territory" distinction came into NLP via Batesonian Epistemology (see. eg. Steps to an ecology of mind, Gregory Bateson).--211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

I was being congruent with what is written on the page header of the article. Korkybski is quoted as the earliest background origin to NLP. Its undeniable. HeadleyDown 03:41, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

HeadleyDown wrote: "This was a move against the Aristotelian thought of modern science and objective reality, and it influenced notions of programming the mind such as was adopted by the financially successful Dianetics of L Ron Hubbard and led the way to a viable human potential industry during the emerging New Age."

Firstly, what move specifically against Aristotelian logic, science or objectivity? What is your evidence? Grinder suggests frames around when to, and when not to use analysis in NLP modeling. For example, prior knowledge, analysis and logic is to to be avoided during the initial imitation (uptake) stage in NLP modeling. Grinder accepts that other forms of modeling or "knowledge aquisition" are perfectly valid (Grinder 2003). After criteria is met, all the knowledge, tools of analysis and skills learned at university is turned back on. (see eg. Grinder Interview 2003 On Modeling [18])--211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

You cannot talk about the human potential industry without talking about new age influences. Objectivity and science are what seperates the two. My evidence is the knowledge about general semantics and Aristotelian thought. Read the books! What you are saying is NLP is science. It is not! HeadleyDown 03:41, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

HeadleyDown, This is not human potential movement or industry as you suggest -- this is NLP. When you say, "Read the Books!" what are you referring to? In the Appendix of Structure of Magic I, Grinder provides a linguistic description of the method they use to model Fritz Perls. In it they refer to George Lakoff's Generative Semantics (from Generative Linguistics) as being key. With your knowledge of "general semantics and Aristotelian thought please explain to me the logic behind including Scientology in your account of the history of NLP and why your history does not match the history that John Grinder himself describes in Whispering in the Wind (2001). --Comaze 08:17, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

Also, what definition of New Age are we using in this article? Even human potential movement is not appropriate in my opinion, but it is more neutral that undefined term New Age. What would be acceptable to all parties? Maybe human potential movement, Personal development, or epistemology? Some do consider the study of epistemology to be esoteric so this may take into account the opinions of the New Age & occult supporters.--Comaze 00:59, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

Acceptability is not the issue. The issue is, does wikipedia cater for those wishing to whitewash the subject. I don't think it does! New age and the HPM and Personal Development, and Self Help, and Inspirational section, are all fact. Listen, I teach NLP, and I don't appreciate the hype and nonsense people use from the marketing bunk. It really detracts from what we are trying to do. NLP has had certain influences, and it is also an improvement on some of those influences. I will make the adjustment in the history section. HeadleyDown 03:41, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

If I am to understand you, you will need to be more specific. Who is trying to whitewash the subject of NLP? What hype and nonsense, specifically? And who / what NLP groups are you referring to? --211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

The article is moving along fine in its present condition. It is within a good size, and is very managable. The views are being well represented, well researched fact is being added concisely, and POV is being reduced, except where people delete without justification. Some more faith in wiki process is needed.EBlack 07:10, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

It may be progressing, but still most of the article is poorly written and needs a major cleanup to remove bias and POV.--211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

Additionally, There is a postgraduate course in NLP accredited by Australian Government. This NLP course is classified as a Behavioural Science. [19]--211.30.48.164 09:15, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

HeadleyDown has been repeatedly reverting and adding comments about "New Age" and Scientology. The manner in which he is doing this appears to violate NPOV. Please review the policy before putting this material back in the article. User: 211.30.48.164 has done a good job of explaining why Headley's edits are inappropriate, IMO. Sunray 07:15, August 22, 2005 (UTC)

Be correct with New Age, etc.

Reference to New Age or Psychic is not appropriate in this article on NLP. NLP has been defined strictly by John Grinder and Carmen Bostic St Clair in Whispering in the Wind (2001). It is definitely not New Age, or psychic, or related to Scientology as one person keeps try to add to the article. Let's keep this article about facts only. Grinder says, in Turtles (1986) that NLP was designed as an epistemology from the beginning. Grinder and Bostic's (2001) description of the coding of NLP is congruent with that found in Structure of Magic Vol.1 (Bander & Grinder, 1975). The personal beliefs of Grinder or Bandler, or even the personal beliefs of people who use NLP or claim to use NLP, are not of the concern of NLP or this article. That is a matter of personal style and is outside the realm of NLP.

NLP is a structural discipline, so it contains no value judgments. You are presupposing that new age is nonsense. NLP has always had an extremely strong spiritual side which is growing in the literature. ALL of the founding members strongly advocate the new age/spiritual aspects of NLP. I have written the facts as they are presented in the source material. Connirae and Tamara Andreas identified five core states: being, inner peace, love, etc. Bandler is a shaman. Grinder constantly uses the word soul in his teachings. Robert dilts modeled the cognitive patterns of Jesus of Nazareth. So stop making value judgments, the background of NLP is what it is. Just let the facts speak. There is nothing wrong with these associations. NLP takes a non judgmental approach to its own background. Wikipedia is also non judgmental. Learn! HeadleyDown 12:05, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

HeadleyDown, My appologies for just reverting your edit out so quickly. My intention is to clean this document up. My first outcome is to clean out all these New Age references because NLP is not described as New Age by Grinder or Bandler. And the term New Age is so vague almost to be meaningless. Do you think that the term esoteric is more acceptable to all relevant parties? Esoteric also covers "New Age". The esoteric portions of NLP include the "essence" of the model, the artistic portion, the stuff that can only be learned through one-on-one direct contact, this cannot be coded using Transformational Linguistics, Turing machine or automata. We just don't have the language to describe it. Or maybe it cannot be empirically tested because it happens internally or out of conscious attention but is still vital.

HeadleyDown, Connirae and Tamara Andreas naming their core states (love, etc.), Bandler saying he is a shaman or pagan, Grinder using soul or grace in his metaphors, or if Robert Dilts follows Christianity are all examples of the personal beliefs or personal style of the individual trainers. These beliefs and values are totally up to the individual trainers and are not prescribed by NLP one way or the other. What type of spirituality is growing in literature? And in what books specifically and written by whom? Grinder's book Turtles (with Delozier 1986) for example uses lots of metaphors from many different cultures with different spiritual traditions. I cannot find any reference to spirituality in Bandler's latest book, Persuasion Engineering. -Comaze

Hello Comaze You are clearly in denial. It is unhelpful. Your goal is to be strict. Wikipedia is not strict, it is neutral. New age is part of the references as is potential and re-programming and engrams and traumas. The term appears many times. It is in academic references, promotional references, historical references amongst others. You seem to be working with a limited outlook and limited references. Grinder is only one author. I want to be truthful and encyclopedic about NLP. Stop judging, and stop denying. The sources are everywhere! The truth will HELP NLP. HeadleyDown 14:39, 19 August 2005 (UTC)

Who do you consider primary sources in NLP?

Who is clearing traumas and how, specifically? And what is your evidence/reference for these claims, specifically? -Comaze

Hi Comaze. Primary sources and resources would be books written by the developers of NLP, and transcripts or recordings from the seminars. Most of the primary sources I have talk of clearing traumas. One example would be the Andreas ref on the article. It is not specific to dianetics or NLP. It is also used in psychology and psychotherapy. It is a very useful and humane application of NLP. So please do not jump to conclusions. I am being non judgmental. Simply stating facts. HeadleyDown 04:52, 20 August 2005 (UTC)

Hi HeadleyDown, Could you be more specific so I can check your sources on the History of NLP. What page of Book/Page numbers are you referring to? Andreas may not be a reliable source because he was not part of the original NLP group. What are your sources for your account of the "History of NLP". How do you explain the difference between your accounts and John Grinder's account in Whispering? Grinder's version is the most accurate version. He was there. Also, What is your intention for continually linking to Scientology (or Dianetics)? -Comaze

Hello Comaze. There is the history of NLP in the book in the references section of Andreas. You can find it from the contents section. Andreas is an NLP developer and has been since the mid 70s. He has since improved his view in seminars to include the history to dianetics. Grinder tends to try to appeal more to a business audience, and so will tend to use their frames of reference. However, the soul of NLP notions are easy to see in his explanations of pacing and leading (fairly mystical) and goal orientation (visions and spiritual purpose in life). These are non psychological and very spiritual. Dianetics is simply a historical milestone on the way to realising NLP. General semantics was the earliest break away from rigor of science, and opened the book to programming. Dianetics use this idea and did it successfully both in terms of treating trauma after the world wars, and also financially successfully in terms of turning people to the idea that they could do something for themselves. NLP made improvements upon these notions especially in improving the hypnotic aspects, and is similarly successful. I do not disparage NLP, but I do disparage of people who want to narrow NLP into a tiny limiting box. NLP is connected to lots of things in a non-judgmental way and will continue in that spirit. If you want to empower your NLP further I suggest you embrace the spiritual aspects of communication. HeadleyDown 04:36, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Good luck User:Comaze in trying to talk sense here. I tried for a couple weeks. Curiously, User:D.Right and User:HeadleyDown make identical silly arguments linking NLP to shamanism and Scientology. Despite User:HeadleyDown's disparaging remarks about NLP, he says he is an NLP teacher on his user page. Pretty strange. I think User:D.Right and User:HeadleyDown are well-meaning, but wrongly believe that NLP is an organized cult. Please let me know if I can be of help.--Agiantman 03:17, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Listen Comaze and Agiantman. If you are ashamed about being thought of as neo-scientologists I fully understand. I have removed the scientology specifics just so you don't go deleting the actual timeline of NLP background and history. It is what it is. I am neutral here, but I have followed up on HeadleyDown's references and they actually treat the dianetics association very mildly. Both scientology and dianetics were historically and anthropologically extremely tied in with NLP development. Of course, the NLP developers are definitely going to try to distance themselves from dianetics and scientology, but the 20th century new age trend is absolutely undeniable. I am certain the specifics will reappear when you pull you fingers out and start to research the actual roots of your beliefs in NLP outside of the hype-ridden and salesy NLP bibles you have been evangelizing. EBlack 07:05, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Neo-scientologists? That's pretty funny. There is no one who is more critical of Scientology than me. Do you have any evidence that Bandler or Grinder is or was a Scientologist? How about Ross Jeffries or Tony Robbins? If you could show me anything, anything, indicating any them support Scientology, I am very, very interested. I just think you are barking up the wrong tree here.--Agiantman 07:24, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

I said that you are thought of as a neo-scientologist; By historians and anthropologists.EBlack 07:55, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

EBlack: Please try to comprehend what people are trying to tell you. In addition to what Agiantman has been explaining, I would add that the following statement violates Wikipedia: Neutral point of view in my opinion:

"According to the NLP presupposition that closely relates to the new age principle of human potential improvement..."

The addition of the words "new age" push a particular point of view. Human potential improvement goes far beyond being a "new age" thing and can be seen as a tradition that, in the western canon, goes back to Socrates. Could you please try to work out an alternative wording and cease with the reverts? Sunray 07:30, August 22, 2005 (UTC)

I understand exactly what people are saying. They are parroting NLP promotional manuals. The human potential movement was specific to only some parts of NLP and the 60s onwards. The new age association links with programming, hypnotic NLP, and general semantics, which goes earlier. Your point about extension to pre-socratic times is valid. I can generate a term that includes new age with the older pagan philosophes. EBlack 07:55, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

I noticed that in general, NLPee-ers are completely pathetic when it comes to fact, both historical and scientific. I think they tend to get into NLPee because it is somehow comforting and woos them into thinking they are capable of miraculous bullshit. NLP is not knowledge, it just a body of excuses. When NLPee-ers don't like reality, they simply take it off their map altogether! Very ostrich behaviour. D.Right 11:44, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Yes DRight, you are correct, some of the NLP advocates here do stupid things like; revert properly referenced and well researched passages and THEN demand a discussion, which is opposite to NPOV guidelines, and they also revert properly referenced passages which have had "offensive" facts removed. They are not helpful at all and they stupidly shoot themselves and me in the foot. I am going to make a constructive suggestion, and as per NPOV guidelines, and the latest well researched facts will stay unless someone can provide proof and consensus for any deleting action. HeadleyDown 15:45, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

I think it might be useful to have 2 pages for NLP, both linking each other, one against NLP and one for NLP. This will allow users to look at both sides of the argument. I dont think NPOV is helpful in this case. --RichardCLeen 15:57, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

If you read the reverts, and the discussion you will notice that they have been discussed. Have a look at the last two paragraphs of the text that was reverted...

"In sum, NLP promotes methods which are largely verifiable and have so far been found to be largely false, inaccurate or ineffective. From these models it develops techniques which may have nothing to do with either the models or the sources of the "models".

What are the sources for these opinions? Largely false, inaccurate or ineffective, according to whom?--211.30.48.164 00:24, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

I can provide these refs myself HeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

"NLP makes claims about thinking and perception which do not seem to be supported by neuroscience. "

What claims about thinking and perception are you referring to? Unsupported by neuroscientists, who specifically? --211.30.48.164 00:24, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

Neuroscientists do not do NLP, and they do not recognize eye accessing cues etc I will provide evidenceHeadleyDown

"NLP has been marketed to the general public using a broad brush approach to solutions, and adopts conveniently broad and simple terms, popular psychology, and pseudoscience and myths about the brain to promote its claims. "

Who is this referring to? Marketed by all NLP practitioners, all trainers? Who is making the claims? --211.30.48.164 00:24, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

This is very true. You could provide this yourself. Just do a web search. If not I will help out here also.HeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

"As such it has been widely extended to market an extremely diverse range of products from psychotherapy to breast enlargement and psychic seduction techniques, as it is likely to be used for the sale of other such products in the future."

Again, who's opinion is this? Ebay is used to sell breast enlargement and so is email. Any who is using NLP for these purposes? And how are they doing it? And what NLP concepts or techniques are they using?--211.30.48.164 00:24, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

We do not need to know the details, just the fact that they do use it to sell these products. You seem to be having a tantrum! HeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

"The ever changing and uncertain nature of NLP’s concepts and theory, and the negative results of rigorous research, have led to distrust by conventional fields and the close association with snakeoil. "

What techniques are "ever changing" and how are they changing? The modeling methodology has not changed since it began in 1970s. (See eg. Whispering. 2001 and Patterns Vol.1 1975).--Comaze 23:56, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Concepts and theory can be changed to buzzwords and associated claims HeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

Additionally, who classifies NLP with "snakeoil", and what is your evidence for this statement? --211.30.48.164 01:14, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

Who's opinion is it that NLP concepts and theory are not trusted by conventional fields. Which fields specifically? Who distrusts NLP concepts and theory, specifcally? What is the evidence for this?

Its in the main body of the criticismsHeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

"Nevertheless, the use of pseudoscience and anecdotal promotion allows it to operate on a commercial scale with a disregard for objective proof of its efficacy, and the “flavour of the month” trends and fads occurring within the NLP concern suggest that...

Who classified NLP as a pseudoscience? Who uses anecdotal promotion? What "flavour of the month trends", and who's opinion is that? --Comaze 23:56, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

Look at the definition of pseudoscienceHeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

"NLP will continue to be directed at customers or anyone willing to believe the buzzwords and claims."

Who's opinion is that? What is the source? Please provide Source with page numbers so I can check you sources. Otherwise I will continue to revert this POV.--Comaze 23:56, 22 August 2005 (UTC)

If you require sources with page numbers then all of the NLP explanation sections will require the same. Anybody would be able to remove it while you hunt page numbers etc. You are being very destructive and acting against wikipedia process. If you want to remove POV, then do it without the mass bombing effort. When people take time to add sentences to paragraphs that are backed up with references and scientific research you can question those particular parts and look for consensus to change them or improve them to NPOV. Otherwise it is simple. If you mass delete, you will simply get a mass reversion. So if you demand all of the references to each statement on the criticism section, you must reference all of the prior NLP explanation section first.HeadleyDown 02:44, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

No problem, I have the references at hand. They can only be reverted strictly against wikipedia regulations and process.EBlack 04:55, 23 August 2005 (UTC)

NLP is New Age by categorization and by central presuppositions/outlook, and by chronological position. NLP is described in detail in the New Age Encyclopedia: A Mind Body Spirit Reference Guide

by Belinda Whitworth (2003)

NLP and New Age has some attributes of a new, emerging religion but is currently a loose network of spiritual seekers, teachers, healers and other participants. THis describes NLP advocates and promoters exactly.

Central to both NLP and New Age is that all life, everything in the universe—is spiritually interconnected, and that the human mind has deep levels and vast powers, which may even be capable even of overriding physical reality. “You create your own reality.”

The name "New Age" also refers to the market segment in which goods and services are sold to people in the movement. NLP falls within that segment.

Hello Comaze. By your blanket and non-consensus deletions, you have earned yourself a zero credibility reputation. People here (including those who hold your views) are working through good research to clarify points, and remove pov. You on the other hand are surreptitiously deleting whole passages that do not agree with your agenda, whilst claiming that you are removing bias and pov. I believe that contributors here are being very tolerant. If you would like gain respect and trust then you would do well to have a look at or remind yourself of the NPOV guidelines. EBlack 05:39, 23 August 2005 (UTC)\

In writing an article on any topic one must first explain what it is (in its own terms). One provides sources, but where the description is generally accepted, there is no need to cite page numbers. Anyone who does not understand the subject is welcome to read up on it. If, on the other hand, one is writing critical commentary it is absolutely necessary to cite chapter and verse. Referring to something as "new age" is not acceptable unless included as a critique (with appropriate citation). The term "new age" is so vapid as to be virtually meaningless. Moreover, when used in this context, it is completely POV. It only belongs in an encyclopedia in a section on "criticism" with its source identified. There are many critiques of NLP and they should be included with cites. The point about mass deletions is well taken, so I will start an edit to remove the blatantly POV statements (and there are many). Please work with me on this. Sunray 06:35, August 23, 2005 (UTC)