Talk:Neuro-linguistic programming/ archive 14

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[edit] NLP and Science (again)

I'm still not clear of the extent to which the founders ever claimed it was a science. Dilts may have been talking through his hat. There seems to be a distinction between the pompous scientific foundations outlined by Dilts and the method driven approach of Grinder and Bandler. Here is Bandler (1979), "NLP is an attitude and a methodology which leaves behind a trail of techniques". There is also a distinction between NLP as therapy and NLP as a set of techniques applicable to anything. They started off looking at therapists, but they were looking at therapists techniques, not the basis of the therapy. Most of the research reviews are from psychology and they totally undermine the underlying principles of NLP. However, there seems to be a separate line of studies which aren't particularly interested in the underlying principles but in aspects of the methodology and techniques. I think this needs to be made clearer.Fainites 20:49, 27 December 2006 (UTC)

Well said. Please go ahead. I've been trying to say that for months. 58.178.133.17 22:25, 27 December 2006 (UTC)
Dilts is talking through his hat as much as any other NLP author. His is a key view and can be included. <refactored personal attack> just straight reporting. The point is to present their view and say what science views say about it. In this case Beyerstein and Drenth for example say that NLP is dressed up as science - whether NLP authors state that it is science or not it doesn't matter. From just a brief scan of what pseudoscience is about - statements of something being a science don't matter at all. Its how it is made to look like science that matters. Eg calling it Neuro-linguistic programming. AlanBarnet 06:47, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

AlanBarnet. I wasn't suggesting removing Dilts. After all, I put him in on the basis that for something to be pseudoscience it has to claim or imply that it is science. Also those parts in the 'soft science ' section where Drenth etc state it is pseudo science and exactly why. Dilts is bang to rights because he claims NLP has scientific foundations (See earlier talk). Science has pretty much destroyed NLP's foundations. It's just that there seems to be a different, non-Dilts strand of a technique based approach who couldn't care less about Dilts scientific pretensions and just examine various techniques. Fainites 09:22, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

This article by Jaap Hollander NLP and Science-Five recommendations for a better relationship was first published in the a magazine titled NLP World (NLP World: Vol 6.3 Nov 1999). It also was a response to Drenth's criticism of NLP in Holland. Hollander says, "Qualitative scientific inquiry bears a striking resemblance with the process of modelling in NLP. So, NLP, after all, may not be as unscientific as it is often made out to be. Modelling, like qualitative research, uses data from naturalistic settings. Modeling also uses inductive analysis of the data. Rather than testing for the presence of predetermined patterns, the modeller looks for patterns in the observations of the expert, patterns that he or she had not consciously formulated beforehand."[1] --Comaze 23:42, 27 December 2006 (UTC) I've added a quote from Labouchere (ee4, 2004).[2] --Comaze 00:17, 28 December 2006 (UTC)
Comaze - (...WP:RPA...) <refactored personal attack>. As to the above - you are clearly presenting the information the wrong way around. Drenth replies to Hollander not the other way around. This is obvious from the paper - promethius chained - thats dated December 1999 whereas Hollander is earlier. Drenth replies to Hollander by talking about "sham maneuvers". The whole of the "soft science" section could be more accurately be titled as "Pseudoscience". AlanBarnet 06:56, 28 December 2006 (UTC)
That's not quite right. Read the article by Hollander. I've put the link to the full article there. Drenth got on the Dutch radio and criticised NLP. According to Hollander, Drenth's criticism of NLP was uninformed. As he lacked an understanding of NLP modeling methodology. --Comaze 08:20, 28 December 2006 (UTC)
Just reminding everybody here of the unreasonable amount of edits here yesterday. There were around 80 edits on the article with only a few edits on the talkpage. There is no way that all those edits are being sufficiently discussed. AlanBarnet 06:56, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Alan barnet, if you look, most of the edits were me and most involved re-arrangements, grammar, structure and headings. There has been very little editing of actual content.Fainites 09:24, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi Folks. I agree with AlanBarnet on one point; that the section title needs something more. I think it needs to imply "soft science" as well as "pseudoscience" and "philosophy" and "technology" etc. The whole point as I understand this section is to convey the condundrum and different perspective about classifying NLP. Perhaps we should call the section:
  • Classifying NLP
Or something like that, and then present all viewpoints on classification. 203.134.139.32 10:59, 28 December 2006 (UTC)
Is Classification ok with you? The NLP is implied because the whole article is on that topic. --Comaze 06:24, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

There seems to be Dilts etc saying it's science and then the people who say no, it's pseudoscience. Then there are the ones who say it's soft science, not hard science, and the hard scientists have the wrong end of the stick. Then there are the ones who plead for more scientific research to establish a scientific basis. Then finally there are the ones who ignore the whole science debate and think solely in terms of useful techniques. I think 'Classifying NLP' is a good title. Should there then be subsections? Fainites 11:37, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

I think you've captured it here. Subheadlines would be useful to organise the different views. --Comaze 12:31, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

'Soft Science' and 'Hard Science' are too POV. How about"Science, Pseudoscience, Structuralism and Technology".Fainites 14:14, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Had a go at dividing up the soft science section. Jolly difficult.Fainites 15:11, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi there I have 3+ years experience with NLP and I will give you my opinion to help you make a better categorization. NLP is not a science, nor is it an art nor a religion. NLP is the study of the place where science, art, and religion overlap, also known as 'subjective experience.' The original subtitle of NLP was 'the study of the structure of subjective experience.' The structure of some NLP organizations may sometimes resemble that of a cult, but NLP itself is not a cult, though it can be used by cults. Subjective experience is not always directly measurable. This is why science has a hard time with NLP. The primary way to understand subjective experience is not by measuring it - that is comparing it to something else like a yardstick - but rather by observing the structure of subjective processes that occur in all manner of human experiences - from experiences in science, art, religion, etc. Think of it in the same way that quantum physics is not an exact science, and is sometimes paradoxical. I offer this explanation to you only as a guide to help you find the right way to categorize NLP correctly. The dispute over this article comes directly from misunderstanding and miscommunication - something that NLP itself does alot to rectify when used correctly.67.174.224.210 08:53, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The most up to date and reliable views

The most up to date views have been covered up for too long already. The main science views are that NLP is unsupported. The latest science views (post 95) all see NLP as far worse than previously assessed. Not only is it unsupported - but it also shows every sign of being a pseudoscience and a cult. Note that as yet I have left the term - cult - out of the opening. It can legitimately be placed there according to NPOV policy. I've been urged by many editors here to check up on the policies of Wikipedia - and the non-negotiable policies all support what I have written. Those are all the main views of the opening. Devilly represents the most recent views of NLP (basically its finished as a therapy - now its just a minor plaything of HRM minorities) Thus according to due weight rules - those human resource subjects only get minority mention. Up to now Sharpley has had a huge mention but actually only his main conclusion it taken into account nowadays (NLP failed the tests). The more relevant views now are towards pointing out NLP's pseudoscience characters. So thanks for pointing me towards the WPrules people. Looks like they do support good research after all. AlanBarnet 07:44, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

AlanBarnet. What cover up? All the views of the scientists that say there is no validity to NLP are clearly set out, with accurate quotes and citations. The views of the scientists who say it is pseudoscience and why are clearly set out, with accurate quotes and citations. Virtually none of this work was done by you. The claims of scientists that NLP is a cult were put in by you, the references checked by others (despite repeated requests to you to verify your sources), and found in the case of Sharpley and Elich to be inaccurate. We are still awaiting a full quote and context from Eisner from you or any other verified quotes from scientists to the effect that NLP is a cult. So what cover up? Fainites 09:42, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Please Fainites. WP:NOFEEDING. 203.134.139.32 11:13, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

OK 203 Fainites 11:26, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi there, I'm not quite sure where I should put my comment - but this seems the most sensible place. Feel free to move it to a more appropriate place (this debate seems to be split-up across multpile sections). Let me introduce myself, I'm Grant Devilly and wrote the article people have been mentioning (Power Therapy article in 2005 in Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry) and was alerted to this page by Comaze. My article started from the premise that the scientific method was a reliable choice of paradigms for inspecting psychiatric practices. This includes the assumption of the null hypothesis until the weight of evidence tips the balance into the other direction. The main point from my article, in general, is that many mental health practices are these days completely unsupported by any form of scientific evidence, have marginal support or don't even attempt to lay the foundations of testable hypotheses. NLP came into the latter category, but it is so well known in this regard that using precious publication space to demonstrate it again seemed pointless (the reviewers and editors agreed). Besides, the VKD section demonstrated it anyway (VKD is a spin-off from NLP). There have been no new randomised controlled trials of NLP (I did a lit search) and the old studies suggest placebo. However, my article was really pointing out the influencing strategies used by those who traffick various products to make a profit, and the subsequent committment to the product made by those who buy or use the product. Some call this cult behaviour - but it all depends upon the definition one sets-up to test. In no way does this mean that other 'mainstream' practices are immune from the same problems. However, the main difference relies upon falsifiability, and NLP is similar to many other products (EMDR, TIR, EFT, etc) in mental health in that at no point have the originators or progenitors of the practice been willing to state the terms under which the practice can be categorically rejected. Showing no replicable evidence of superiority over any other validated method and becoming 'untestable' led to NLP being help-up as the archetypical pseudoscience which enabled me to introduce the new stable of contenders. I did not conduct a new RCT into NLP nor did I conduct a new meta-analysis of the available data. I know some will not like what I have written here, but 'like' is not a 'scientific' word. If people reject science as the yardstick then that's a completely different argument. Hope this helps. Grant 11:53, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Thanks very much Mr Devilly.Fainites 12:50, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Yes very interesting Prof Devilly - and reassuring to get confirmation. Thanks. AlanBarnet 12:41, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
Hi all. I added the context to Prof Devillys view on NLP being an archetypal pseudoscience. It was removed. I am not sure what can or cannot be added from the authors statements on this talkpage. Any idea what the policy is? AlanBarnet 06:42, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cults/Psychocults (again)

I've found the article for the 'psychocult' citation. Protopriest Novopashin is the senior priest of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Director of the Information Consultation centres on issues of sectarianism for the city of Novosbirsk. He calls NLP, amongst others, a psychocult. Other targets as dangerous and evil sects are 'neo-Pentacostals', 'Jehovahs Witnesses' and the 'heathen-Mormons'. I think this citation is a bit dodgy without context. At the moment it says it is called a psychocult by journalists and researchers. The only three citations left in after research of the original 6 citations are Singer, Eisner and Protopriest Novopashin. Perhaps it should say 'researchers and a russian priest'.Fainites 15:52, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

I see No. 68 has now removed the cult reference altogether. I can't see that Protopriest Novopashin was a sufficiently valid source and no editor has validated either Singer or Eisner.Fainites 23:15, 28 December 2006 (UTC)

Following up on the Singer and Eisner references:

  • Singer's book "Cults in our midst" does not appear to have any significant references to NLP. NLP is mentioned once, on page 199, as being one component of certain training programs. The context is a chapter talking about certain organisations offering workplace "training" to employees. The full quote is "Aside from complaining that they were being put through programs tantamount to a forced religious conversion, employees also objected to specific techniques being used: meditation, neurolinguistic porgramming, biofeedback, self-hypnosis, bizarre relaxation techniques, mind control, body touching, yoga, trance induction, visualization...". While a perfectly good source, it lacks relevance to NLP, and does not make any further mention of NLP (for example, it does not say whether the organisations it criticises are primarily NLP organisations or not).
  • Eisner's book contains the quote "Both Sharpley and Elich et al. conclude that NLP is akin to a cult and may be nothing more than a psychological fad". Following up on the Sharpley ref, Sharpley was also directly quoting Elich. Both Eisner and Sharpley are reiterating what Elich said, without elaborating further on what might have been meant.

In my opinion, neither of these sources are sufficient to back up the statement which was made in the article, that "NLP is sometimes referred to by journalists and researchers as a kind of cult or psychocult", and I support the removal on those grounds.

For looking at the relationship between NLP and cults, I would suggest taking a closer look at "Michael D Langone (Ed). (1993.). Recovery from Cults: Help for Victims of Psychological and Spiritual Abuse". The source documents an "drug rehabilitation clinic", using NLP methods and run by people claiming to be NLP practitioners. The group is described as being highly manipulative, run by a charismatic leader, using criminal methods, and dedicated to "creating a new superspecies". This is a relevant source and is describing a group which fits most people's understanding of what is meant by a "cult". Enchanter 01:48, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

New Superspecies? How interesting... seriously. However, even given Langone's documented example, bringing up the NLP/CULT point here would be like adding a 'cult' reference to the Yoga Wiki because of Aum Shinrikyo taught it and used it in their sect.
It's a clear violation of WP:NPOV:Undue Weight.
Furthermore, it should be recognized that this point all together is a throwback to the work of the Long Term Abuser and vandal of this article known as HeadleyDown, who's banner has been taken up by AlanBarnet if we're to judge by historical edit behavior and tactics.
"HeadleyDown initially acts as the "sweet voice of a reasonable editor", claiming to have a scientific or neutral interest, seeking minor improvements, POV fixes, balance, or a legitimate "scientific/neutral" viewpoint in an otherwise not-bad article. However in practice long-term he is a virulent and destructive subtle POV warrior who ignores bona fide research (sometimes calling it "promotion") and gradually over time using multiple socks forces a massive POV slant until articles end up attacking their own subjects, or twisted to a very one-sided POV, rather than explaining them. This is claimed to be "more concise", "more scientific", "cited" or "more neutral". At times, he has forged cites and credentials, invented material, and deleted bona fide information, to do this. He is quite tenacious and persistent and tries to come back if blocked."
Headley's agenda on the NLP wiki has been to:
  • Make sure the NLP article's main POV is that NLP is Pseudoscientific.
  • Make sure the NLP article's main POV is that NLP is a cult.
  • Make sure the NLP article has references to as many different cults/new age groups as possible.
  • Present NLP procedures, techniques and axioms in the most cartoonish light as possible.
  • Make sure any information showing NLP may have merit is removed and labeled promotional.
  • Make sure anyone trying to prevent his objectives is labeled as violating policy or an NLP cultist.
Now does any of this look familiar? You've guys have been making a lot of headway presenting a more balanced article. Don't let ever returning ghost's of HeadleyDown slow you down. Doc Pato 04:25, 29 December 2006 (UTC)
Hi Doc pato. I really think you're on the wrong foot here. I'm clearly not sockpuppeting and I've worked with admin very closely to get problems solved here. I am working reasonably with admin assessments as you can partly see through my notifications of promoter abuse on the ANI article [3]. There are clearly problems with people obscuring views here. Whether you call it cover up – hiding – distorting - minimizing – its all the same and key views should not be obscured and I have presented the most obvious solution to the problem - I’ve been working on getting the lead section into shape by presenting the key issues in proper context and proportion. Unfortunately – Comaze (who's situation I have reiterated from the assessment of admin [4]) has been making sure the majority of key critical issues are not presented there at all. Lead sections should have a summary form opening that include the main issues and the rest of the lead should provide context and criticism. I don’t know exactly how many times Comaze and other anon IPs have removed that information by deleting it from the lead section – but it they are doing it persistently – and they are giving the most unacceptable excuses (for example - its been covered in the article already). It doesn’t matter if its been covered– the main point of the lead is to show with appropriate citations – the main issues of the article – so of course it will be present in the article.
There are pressing problems that need to be sorted out and I am working on solving them to create a properly balanced NPOV article. I’ve worked here without making any personal attacks - Ive only reiterated admin's assessments – I’ve cooperated with admin – and presented according to NPOV policy despite the persistent deletion of key views from the lead section. This will overcome a lot of the promotional obscuring of facts that admin have pointed out as being a problem and help to present a balanced article [5][6]. AlanBarnet 09:38, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi AlanBarnet. You rightly say that the lead section should have a summary that includes the main issues. Doesn't saying that NLP is controversial and after 3 decades remains scientifically unvalidated do just that? Fainites 12:23, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

On cults, Langone is already extensively quoted in that section. He describes the use of NLP by aggressive cults and shows that some past training in NLP is a common feature of types of cult. He does not describe NLP as a cult itself, but rather it's use for mind control and to ensure compliance by cults. Funnily enough for the 'NLP is bunkum/evil cult' fraternity, this would seem to imply that NLP, as a set of techniques, is immensly powerful. The same sorts of points used to be made about hypnotism. If 'Trilby' were written now, Svengali would be an NLP practitioner. As for the last two of the six citations to the cult allegation, what a suprise that neither of those said it was a cult either! Just Protopriest Novopashin on his own then? Fainites 09:19, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi. Yes I left cults out of the opening because I still am unsure as how to properly frame the fact. Open to discussion. AlanBarnet 09:38, 29 December 2006 (UTC)
You see that's the point. If it were a fact that NLP is a cult, there'd be no need to "properly frame" it. It would be clearly evident and citable. You'd have an abundance of reputable references and there'd be no need to parrot the same sources over and over again, or use the opinions of obscure bigoted Russian priests. There'd be no need to make spurious interpretations of researchers who say NLP has achieved "cult status" (i.e. mass popularity), and twist them to mean "NLP is a cult". But playing that ever "sweet voice of a reasonable editor", you continue to distort and POV warrior making the exact same edits and arguments as your previously perma-banned identity. Doc Pato 15:51, 29 December 2006 (UTC)
  • "Actually, it may help also if we frame the explanation within the new alternative religion concept. HeadleyDown 02:22, 12 March 2006 (UTC)
  • That sociological label seems to be appropriate for the opening to frame the rest of the scientific information that shows the techniques to be mere belief rituals. ATB Camridge (Headlydown Sock) 05:26, 6 March 2006 (UTC)
Idiosyncratic language is a funny thing Doc Pato 16:38, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi AlanBarnet. I don't think you should start off with the assumption that it is 'fact' that NLP is a cult. All the citations provided so far have not borne fruit. I don't think Guy from admin counts as a source. If you find any commentators who do say it's a cult I'd be most interested to read them.Fainites 09:47, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

I think the tag should be removed from the manipulation section. All the dodgy references to scientists and russian priests have been removed. The remaining two entries are from verified sources.Fainites 23:43, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Popular Culture, Structural Edits and Quote Moves

Fainites, Comaze, 58. and non-sock editors... regarding my changes to structure, groupings of quotes and addition of popular culture/media reception section, I'm not married to anything. Feel free to discuss and/or edit. A note: The education section disappeared a while ago, I think there's a lot of resources out there for that section to come back. Furthermore, I also believe there's a lot of popular media resources regarding the topic that can be expanded on if anyone's up for the task. Doc Pato 19:51, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

I appreciate you letting us know. I'm more of an edit first discuss later style editor also. If I think a nonconcurrence is important I'll raise it on the talk page. Regarding the education section. Please go ahead; I hope you can keep it to a reasonable "due weight" size (i.e. not too big). 58.178.156.249 23:23, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Drenth and Devilly

Regarding these quotes:

  • Drenth (1999)... states "pseudo-scientists flirt with scientific terms and concepts, and suggest that they want to participate in the scientific debate, albeit in an anti-positivist manner." and goes on to say "but even for new theories and hypothetical frameworks, the requirement still holds that they should be scrutinized and tested on logical grounds and, in the case of empirical or experimental science, on the basis of empirical or experimental evidence" .[34]
  • Drenth (2003) expands his argument in saying "Unlike diagnosis, predicition of human performance or behavior, and assessment, therapy is not a (applied) sciencific activity. Criteria for therapeutic activity is effectiveness, not verity; at stake is not whether it is true but whether it works". At first sight this would seem to accord with NLP's "what works" philosophy. However, Drenth, using NLP as his prime example, goes on to say "But what brings some of these therapeutic approaches into the category of pseudoscience is the claim that their presumptions are predicated on scientific understanding and scientific evidence." [36]
  • According to Devilly (2005) it is common for pseudoscientific developments to set up a granfalloon in order to promote in-group rituals and jargon, and to attack critics.[41] [dubious — see talk page]

Are they talking about pseudoscience in general, or is he talking about NLP specifically, and if not, do these really belong here? I mean, they says it's pseudoscience. We get the point. Include that. However, do we need a lecture about the general nature of pseudoscience in this already bloated article, cited or not? Doc Pato 22:41, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

They're talking about a gamut of dodgy therapies and they lump in NLP too. However, these citations appear fairly general about pseudoscience. I wouldn't suggesting dumping them, when you could see if they fit in the pseudoscience article instead. The "at first sight" phrase is certainly POV and violates WP:WTA. I would suggest leaving the Drenth citations and cutting the commentary. The Devilly citation is fairly general and cryptic and probably doesn't add much to the article really. 58.178.156.249 23:04, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

The Devilly citation should go unless he specifically states that NLP is one of the pseudosciences he is describing. As for Drenth, some editors here got into the habit of citing very full, verified quotations as a defence against the misquotes and false citations abounding in this article. I think the second quote above is more relevant than the first.Fainites 23:18, 29 December 2006 (UTC)

Actually I think Drenth was using NLP as his prime example. I'll check.Fainites 11:19, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

It's in "Prometheus Unchained". After describing pseudoscience, he says 'Let me illustrate what I have said by discussing a movement known by the name NLP'. Fainites 11:23, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi. Right now I don't see the point in any of those passages - especially when they are full of argument (However ....). They may be useful when explaining why some say NLP is pseudoscientific - but I would say they can be added more concisely. AlanBarnet 12:26, 30 December 2006 (UTC)
Drenth seems like a wonderful addition to the article. The commentary around the citations however is problematic:
  • Drenth expands his argument (implies a value judgement on the original 1999 argument and implies an increasing validity of a mysterious and unmentioned larger argument that somehow applies to NLP)
  • At first sight (gives away a bias and violates WP:WTA)
  • this would seem (guesses the reader's impression and marks the beginning of an OR interpretation)

I would prefer the following. Cutting down and de-emphasing the 1999 citation in favour of the 2003, something like this:

  • Drenth (1999) states "pseudo-scientists flirt with scientific terms and concepts, and suggest that they want to participate in the scientific debate, albeit in an anti-positivist manner." and Drenth (2003) uses the "movement known by the name NLP" to illustrate his descriptions of pseudoscience, stating "Unlike diagnosis, prediction of human performance or behavior, and assessment, therapy is not a (applied) sciencific activity. Criteria for therapeutic activity is effectiveness, not verity;" ... "But what brings some of these therapeutic approaches into the category of pseudoscience is the claim that their presumptions are predicated on scientific understanding and scientific evidence." [36]

I've cut the middle part of the 2003 citation because it is an aside from the core of the citation and confuses the overall meaning too much. Though it still needs work, I think my proposal here lacks the repetition, POV commentary and randomness of the original. If anyone likes it enough, go ahead and insert it by all means. Otherwise, suggestions? 58.178.141.147 12:53, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

It's fine.Fainites 13:07, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] A Balanced Lead Section

I added a lead section that moves closer to what is described in [7] lead section recommendations. Notice it follows NPOV closely. So many times over the past few weeks - main views have been promotionally obscured from the lead. The form is pretty easy to understand. All the key issues of the main body should be presented - including criticisms. Its designed to help the reader understand the article as a whole. So I'm following the format. I invite other editors to make sure all relevant views are presented and no key views or facts are marginalized. AlanBarnet 12:32, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Reverted, due to WP:TROLL. 58.178.141.147 12:53, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi 58. I noticed you changed my opening. While I think Headleydown/AlanBarnet's continued intro revision's are both heavy-handed in the POV dept, and unnecessarily cumbersome referring to specific scientist's so early... I also think that "controversial as a therapy" doesn't really adequately summarize the nature of the controversy around NLP. NLP is not only controversial as therapy, but it's controversial due a number of reasons. The specific nature of these claims, their sources and validity are something for the main article and not the intro... but I think most of the cited concerns can be boiled down to 4 points

  • Does it work?/Can it do what it claims? (Efficacy)
  • Is it based in reality/science? Or is it pseudoscience? (Validity)
  • Are NLPers manipulating or scamming people? (Ethics)
  • How do I know an NLPr is qualified (Lack of Standards/Regulation)

I think the following statement covers all 4 reception concerns without bulking up the into or going overboard:

  • "After three decades of existence NLP remains scientifically unvalidated and continues to be controversial amongst critics due to concerns of efficacy, ethics and lack of regulation (or standards/control)."

Although I would be agreeable to an equally small CITED and REFERENCED statement that summarizes the "positive" reception as well.

Thoughts? Doc Pato 17:58, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Well on the subject of heavyhandedness Doc pato, you may want to reconsider how you refer to me or anyone else who doesn’t comply with your own worldview. From what I’ve read of NPOV policy - editors of different viewpoints are supposed to at least try to get along. AlanBarnet 03:41, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
Actually Headleydown/AlanBarnet, you're a perma-banned sock of a long time abuser. Trying to pretend to try and "get along" with you would just be playing your game. I'm not interested. And frankly, it's my hope most of your communications, regardless of how sweet sounding and polite, are simply ignored by both editors and administration. Doc Pato 04:54, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
Hi Doc pato. I started this section so that a serious problem (identified by admin amongst others) can be fixed according to NPOV. You seem to be engaging in some sort of discussion on balancing the lead section within this section - so I believe thats fairly good evidence my suggestions for discussion on this area have already been positive and constructive and you and others are not ignoring me at all. Inconsistencies aside - I think a thorough examination of NPOV again using the links I provided below will help the discussion even further. AlanBarnet 05:33, 1 January 2007 (UTC)


Evidence of 'positive reception' has been a bit thin on the ground so far. Presumably there's some out there. Also, I think there's a distinction, re your starred points above, between being based on reality and being based on science. It seems at times as if NLPers grabbed a variety of ideas and techniques from a huge range of sources, disguised it with semi-incomprehensible jargon, but produced a working method, bits of which are being successfully used as adjuncts to other methods in a variety of settings. How about, 'NLP was and continues to be controversial as to both theory and practice and after three decades of existence remains scientifically unvalidated’ Fainites 21:19, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi Doc. All good. I wasn't editing your intro, I was restoring my alteration of fainites suggestion, from before you arrived.
As far as I can tell 99% of all critics are discussing NLP as a therapy. All controversy we cite in ethics and regulation is in regards to NLP as a therapy. All controversy we cite in efficacy is in regards to NLP as a therapy. All criticism we cite of NLP is raised by those assessing and criticising NLP as a therapy. Your personal perspective would naturally be in regards to NLP as a therapy.
But where's the human resources controversy? Where's the education controversy? Where's the management consulting controversy? Where's the sports performance controversy? Where's the new age controversy? Where's the life coaching controversy?
The only other controversy than therapy worth mentioning is that Bandler and Grinder were so acrimonious for so long and that Bandler was charged with murder. Which is some really stupid stuff, but does it consitute saying NLP itself is controversial? Take care. 58.178.141.147 06:04, 31 December 2006 (UTC)
Hi again Doc. I would be amenable to the phrase "therapeutic critics" in your intro. 58.178.141.147 06:09, 31 December 2006 (UTC)
Hi Fainites and 58. While theory and practice is a bit better than what we have, I'm wondering if it isn't to broad. And 58, while I certainly agree that the strongest concern in the area of NLP controversy is in regards to mental health and therapy, I'd have to disagree with the notion that it's the only one worth mentioning and that all criticism and controversy we cite of NLP are relating to therapy:
  • human resources: Von Bergen's concern that NLP to be inappropriate for management and human resource training.
  • Education: The cited assertions that NLP education applications and VAK learning styles aren't' scientifically validated and don't work.
  • Manipulation: Lanagone and others with controversy over cults using manipulation techniques
  • Modeling Excellence: Can NLP make better soldiers? Edgar Johnson, technical director of the Army Research Institute heading the NLP focused Project Jedi stated that "Lots of data shows that NLP doesn't work...
  • Cosmetic Body Changes: Controversy over NLP breast/penis enlargement claims
  • Past Legal Controversy: Is NLP private intellectual property? Or Public Domain?
  • Controversy and Criticism of a self-improvement technology who's "creator" has been a smoking, alcohol abusing, cocaine addict accused of murder?
  • Controversy and Criticism by Christians over NLP being "New Age" or related to the occult.
  • Controversy and Criticism over the ethics of NLP seduction applications
  • Controversy and Criticism over the ethics of NLP sales applications
  • Controversy and Criticism over the fundamental theories, foundations of NLP from a scientific view, regardless of the application.
Furthermore, the fundamental controversy of efficacy is notable in all contexts, particularly when a great deal of NLP trainers, including Bandler himself say they "don't do therapy". And that NLP is about learning how to model success not fixing broken people.
So whether or not you or I agree with these criticisms, it's besides the point when there's plenty of criticism and controversy outside the realm of therapy. With that in mind, regarding my suggested, "After three decades of existence NLP remains scientifically unvalidated and continues to be controversial amongst critics due to concerns of efficacy, ethics and lack of regulation (or standards/control)", I'm curious as to which parts in particular there are issues with and why? Regards :) Doc Pato 04:54, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
Hi again Doc. Re Project Jedi. The project doesn't even officially exist, yet you want us to cite it? For real? We've already establish that reference was fabricated. It isn't even in the internet archives. I certainly disagree with most of what you've said above. NLP is clearly controversial as a therapy. However, being criticised in other fields doesn't make it controversial at all, it merely makes it criticised. It's a recurring mistake you make above that you equate criticism with controversy. There's a fundamental difference in the two terms.
So what's to be said? "After three decades NLP continues to be praised by some and critisized by others?" That's hardly encyclopedic, and actually you could say it about half the topics on wikipedia. No, I think it's best we stick to what we have had for the last half month. It is fine and it is balanced.
I am amenable to Fainites most recently suggested alteration above.

202.67.114.30 12:59, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi 202. A couple of points:
  • A)I haven't and I'm not asking you to cite Jedi, nor any of the other things mentioned. My point is that there is plenty of criticism and controversy outside the realm of therapy.
  • B)Despite your assertion/mindread/interpretation I am very clear about the difference between criticism and controversy.
Controversy, i.e "a matter of opinion or dispute over which parties actively argue, disagree or debate", exists in regards nearly all the areas I mentioned above. It's debated whether or not NLP is fundamentally pseudo-scientific, it's disputed whether or not it's techniques work within the context of business, education and self-improvement. How can the notion of cults using NLP techniques to manipulate followers, or an substance abusing self-improvement guru not be controversial? If you asked Bandler or even Grinder if NLP was controversial as whole, can you imagine them saying "No.. well maybe only in the therapeutic sense." My imaginings, and yes they are only my imaginings, is that the ole coot (who doesn't do therapy) would say and probably has said "Of course, NLP is controversial...". But of course, my imaginings are besides the point. The very nature of this almost 2 year long struggle to make a balanced article is nearly pointing to the self-evidence of NLP being controversial as a whole, but the crux of the issue is in that these disputes outside the realm of therapy are already presnted in the article, that that my suggested statement merely gives a very brief overview of what's to come later on... without the unnecessary lengthy quotes of HeadleyBarnet.
However, let's ignore the issue of controversy and summarize reception this way:
  • ""*While NLP has continued to be popular in a wide range of contexts for over 30 years [8]it remains scientifically unvalidated and critics note concerns over issues of efficacy, ethics and lack of regulation (or standards/control)." or even
*""*While NLP remains scientifically unvalidated and critics note concerns over issues of efficacy, ethics and lack of regulation (or standards/control), it has continued to be popular in a wide range of contexts for over 30 years. [9]it ". Specific objections? Doc Pato 20:45, 1 January 2007 (UTC)


Hi Doc and Numbers. Actually, though I'd be happy with my version, I quite like DocPatos second one above. It bothers me that nowhere does the article mention the fact that heaps of therapists, business trainers and the like are cheerfully using the bits of NLP that they find useful without a thought for the underlying scientific principles. And, as has been said before, the fact that mind control type cults also use it is relevant but not a criticism. Hypnosis has been used to implant false memories but that doesn't of itself make hypnosis dubious. Alternatively how about; 'Despite it's popularity, NLP continues to be controversial in all it's forms, particularly it's use in therapy, and after three decades of existence remains scientifically unvalidated’ or is this just ducking the issue? Fainites 22:52, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

Opinion redacted: This is fine. Just make sure you cite Sanghera on the 1st part lest some Sock try and remove it to to "commentary" or "promotion" claims Doc Pato 19:09, 2 January 2007 (UTC)
Hehe. Sorry Doc, I'm still not convinced, and I've already given my very specific objection why. Your sentences appear to be pretty much Cold_reading to me. They saying NLP is both criticised and praised. In my opinion these things cancel each other out in all areas but in therapy. NLP is no more criticised for it's poor regulation than any other new field. We'd be playing up the amount criticism to note this in the intro. We could equally reverse your coldread/suggestion into:
*""*While it has continued to be popular in a wide range of contexts for over 30 years, NLP remains scientifically unvalidated, with controversy surrounding it's ethics and efficacy as a therapy.
Readers will simply hear what they want to hear. Any specific objections? Of course you have... The simple truth is that Fainites original suggestion is the most even-handed. 202.67.114.30 06:15, 2 January 2007 (UTC)
On a personal note, I love cold reading (Could you tell?). But reminiscent of cold reading or not, the opinion that criticisms and praise in regards to the reception of NLP in areas outside therapy 'cancel each other out' isn't really a reason to not summarize/recognize them in the intro. It's cited and gives a a very breif overview of the nature of criticism that comes up later in the article, which is my main concern.
However, on second thought Faintes suggested version is fine, and your suggested change is fine with me, if we can agree to simply add the word "particularly" as in "*While it has continued to be popular in a wide range of contexts for over 30 years[10], NLP remains scientifically unvalidated, with controversy surrounding it's ethics and efficacy, particularly as a therapy."Doc Pato 18:53, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

I will agree to either, although I'm bound to say that I think mine, though lacking detail, is a little more elegantly phrased.Fainites 21:31, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

That's fineDoc Pato 23:38, 2 January 2007 (UTC)
I'll defer to Fainites decision. I think his (hers?) is more elegant also. 58.178.134.120 00:45, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Too kind Fainites 23:07, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

< note: some trolling and disinformation was moved to Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion >

A few minor changes to the intro. in pursuit of clarity.Fainites 14:35, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Technology

Comaze, what happened to all your papers from other disciplines on NLP techniques and methods that you set out about 2 1/2 inches ago? We seem to have been distracted by other matters. It seems to me that despite the lack of scientific underpinnings, there are people out there doing little bits of research on individual techniques, and indeed using them as tools in other therapies and disciplines. I have Dowlem, Lichtenberg and bits of Brown and Sandhu.

Dowlem (Research Associate at Roffey Park Management Institute) in 'NLP-help or hype? Investigating the uses of neurolinguistic programming in management learning'(1996) concludes; "with regard to communication, the NLP techniques using language patterns appear to be of use in management development. These techniques were found to be of use from personal experience, from the views of others, and are suppoted to a degree from the research evidence. The meta-model questioning techniques also emerge as having merit...There is a disappointing lack of research evidence on NLP and a clear need for further work if NLP is to achieve wider credibility in the developments field. That it is enthusiastically supported by those who practice it is both it's strength and potential weakness"Fainites 16:44, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

I've been distracted by all the other discussion. I'm just accessed Esterbrook's dissertation. It has an updated summary of research, plus translation of Russian research on NLP which gives another perspective.

  • Esterbrook, Richard (2006) Introducing Russian neuro-linguistic programming behavior modification techniques to enhance learning and coping skills for high-risk students in community colleges: An initial investigation. George Mason University, 389 pages; AAT 3208972 --Comaze 17:11, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Hi Comaze. Estebrook is very interesting on a number of fronts. Firstly the fact that the Russians appear to have had a shot at refining NLP into a more usable form and conducting 'outcome' studies, secondly the bit about previous research being based on the use of NLP to test DSM III diagnoses rather than NLP diagnoses. I haven't seen any other reference to this but I suppose it goes without saying. However, the whole DSM classification system is controversial in parts. Thirdly the results of the study, albeit a small one. Has DocPato seen this Phd? Fainites 23:25, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

The NLP perspective one DSM would be a useful contrast somewhere. The meta model challenges many of those DSM overgeneralisations if they are limiting. The other argument is that the content categories in the DSM also reduces the ability to respond to the client in the moment (sensory acuity). --Comaze 07:38, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

It's not so much criticising the use of DSM diagnosis from the point of view of NLP precepts. More whether there is sufficient difference between the two to make the research questionable.Fainites 23:06, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

I believe this was one the methdological flaws in research to date raised by Einspruch and Forman (1985). From memory some of the researchers used anxiety and depression scales to test the effectiveness of some process. One part of NLP is to convince someone who is "depressed" to take ownership of their thought process and behaviours. In this case using DSM like diagnosis scales would be at counteract the NLP model. This is from memory so I'll have to check --Comaze 00:21, 5 January 2007 (UTC)


Sergei Kovalev, whose book is cited in the Esterbrook dissertation, has good credentials. As a professor, he's PhD in psychology; and also he's Grand PhD and full professor of the World University for Development of Science, Education and Society, a private university under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation Ministry of Education and Science, founded with the intention to bring Russian science closer to the modern advancements (he's vice president of this institution). He's member of Russian Society for Psychology and Russian Professional League for Psychotherapy. He's author of several books on NLP in psychotherapy in the Russian language. Also, he's author of what he called "Eastern version of NLP", his own set of methods for psychotherapy and consulting. Eli the Barrow-boy 12:59, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

What does Kovalev actually say about NLP? Fainites 18:57, 21 January 2007 (UTC)

He uses NLP primarily for therapy; and, according to his works, his personal approach to therapy is eclectic and includes various methods (such as psychosynthesis, transactional analysis, existential therapy etc) besides "pure" NLP. According to the abstract of Esterbrook's dissertation,

Sergei V. Kovalev (2001) has introduced a set of structured NLP interventions that were translated from his book Return from the Edge of the Abyss: Seven Steps to Recovery, NLP - Therapy for Drug or Alcohol Addiction. These NLP interventions are reflected in a three step pilot model that can be applied to help under-achieving community college students use coping resources and successful life experiences in approaching their academic work. The intervention techniques were developed involving applications of cognitive-behavioral exercises (e.g. use of imagery). [11]

What exactly do you want to know him to have actually said about NLP? —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Eli the Barrow-boy (talk • contribs) 23:36, 22 January 2007 (UTC).

Has he done or does he cite any outcome research? Fainites 17:20, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

I haven't seen one and can't check on that right now for I'm quite busy. I'll try to find this out in a few days, maybe a week or so. He might not have been interested in strict scientific research, as most NLPers do, however I need to know it for sure, since he's got all these credentials, and we may be lucky to find some useful information for Wikipedia. For now the Esterbrook's research is the only research of his findings that I am aware of. Maybe that's temporarily. Eli the Barrow-boy 21:20, 23 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Concepts and Methods

Parts Integration added. Fainites 23:33, 30 December 2006 (UTC)

Sorry, removed again. It's just one of many patterns, no more or less notable. I'd like to add a request that when we add new sections we integrate the information in such a way that it facilitates a general reduction in the overall size of the article. The article is already far too long. There are daughter articles for this stuff. Keep in the mind that, in giving equal weight to all sides of NLP, when we write long sections on every NLP technique we are also be obliged to write long sections on why NLP is bad, ,pseudoscience, etc. Please keep it short and have the bare minimum about each technique that a complete newbie could understand. 58.178.141.147 05:48, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Two sentences No 58 on Parts Integration. Hardly a long section. Hardly 'promo' either. It also went along with a reduction of 'reframing' from 15 lines to 12. Fainites 08:03, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

You're right. I think I overstated my case quite a bit, and didn't realise the reframing section was a reduction. Still when I read it I thought there's no way I would understand this if I hadn't already studied it. 58.178.100.29 03:21, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

It's a bit dense perhaps. I'll work on it.Fainites 23:17, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

Comaze, I think Milton Model, Modelling and Meta Model should come under concepts rather than methods. Perhaps methods should be renamed techniques. Fainites 08:33, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

I think methods or techniques could be used. They both seem to be words used in the literature. AlanBarnet 06:37, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Cleanup taskforce issues

Thanks, I've been mulling it over. I'll do that now and see how it looks. --Comaze 10:03, 1 January 2007 (UTC) The cleanup taskforce guy really complained about the article being frustrating. I'm looking at ways to use more example and make it really simply. My favourite description is of reframing because it uses examples that anyone would immediately understand. Also, if the article is printed it should be self-contained. Therefore any jargon should be defined or kept very simple. --Comaze 10:12, 1 January 2007 (UTC) I'm finding it very difficult to organise that section because each concepts or method can be described by example as a technique. --Comaze 10:34, 1 January 2007 (UTC) I've converted the Technique section to block prose. I would like this section to be more cohesive and flow nicely between paragraph. I find it difficult to separate the concepts from techniques. I think this issue can be resolved if well written. I can add those subtitles back if it is easier for everyone. --Comaze 11:19, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
I'm not sure I follow why we'd want separate concepts from techniques. There's very little difference from the originators perspectives so it might just come across as OR from us to tease it all apart. Still I'm all for removing jargon. 202.67.114.30 21:54, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

Lets get clear, jargon free paragraphs first and think how to divide them up afterwards. Some fall naturally into one group or another. Some don't. Should there be a bit more of a mention of rapport do you think? BTW, the clean-up chap clearly thinks we've all completely lost the plot.Fainites 23:17, 1 January 2007 (UTC)

Not now, not ever. Let's never divide this section up. I cannot see why you are pushing to restructure the article. There is nothing wrong with the current structure. Separating concepts and techniques is illogical for NLP. An NLP concept imparts a technique and an NLP technique is interwoven in concepts. Is Rapport an action or is it an idea? It's both. Is a reframe a concept or technique? It's both. And so on for all NLP concepts and methods. Anyway... still working on less jargon. However, the term predicates isn't jargon, we can link it into predicate (grammar). 202.67.114.30 05:56, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

OK OK 202. 'think how we divide them up' includes the possibility of not dividing them up. I agree with you that probably too many methods/concepts are both for a simple division. I think the ones that are clearly major underlying concepts need to go first in order, some are clearly both concept and technique, the few hanging around that seem to be all technique like 'swish' could go at the end, By the way, how about moving the whole history section to after 'concepts and methods?'Fainites 10:41, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

All good. In discussion with Comaze previously we decided to put history first à la Psychotherapy. Works there, no? Works here too? I like history first because it's more tangible for my mind than concepts and methods. I think many articles begin this way. 202.67.114.30 10:53, 2 January 2007 (UTC)
Perhaps if we included some "concepts and methods" in the history section rather than the current potted political history of scientific debate it would be more accessible and interesting? 202.67.114.30 11:06, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps if we just make sure that the intro. and the first paragraph give a clear enough idea of what NLP is before readers plunge into history. Fainites 11:47, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Comaze, I'm fine with expanding the Milton model. I just think the first line ought to say what the Milton model actually is. Otherwise it's meaningless to non-NLPers who don't know that it's a detailed copy or synthesis of the techniques of a notable hypnotherapist.Fainites 11:52, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Help! Comaze and Numbers. I've tried to fix refs 28 and 29 without success. Both refs are blank.Fainites 21:14, 2 January 2007 (UTC) Thanks ComazeFainites 22:43, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Comaze, do we really need the Norma Baretta reference in 'milton model'? Is there any doubt that they modeled Milton Erikson? They wrote two huge volumes about it. How about "The neuro-linguistic programming model was primarily extracted from a detailed copy and synthesis of Milton Erickson's patterns of hypnotic language and techniques." As I understand it they also modeled his use of body language/rapport etc. Fainites 22:48, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Is it ok now? --Comaze 10:12, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Just a little tweak.Fainites 16:46, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Manipulation

Does anybody object if I remove the 'unverified source' tag from the manipulation section? The two remaining sources contain full and accurate quotations from those two authors. The other seven citations were all false and have been removed. Fainites 23:35, 2 January 2007 (UTC)

Not really. I'd like the jargon SHAM to be completely removed. It adds nothing but more anti-NLP thumping. I think it's the kind of stuff that the cleanup taskforce say is labouring the point. In fact, I'll do the edit and see what you think. 58.178.134.120 00:34, 3 January 2007 (UTC)
Since I've merged it with commerce, the misinterpretation section tag is still appropriate. 58.178.134.120 00:57, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Ok. On SHAM, If you look at the book, Salerno is really attacking Tony Robbins, not NLP although he pokes fun at the law suits. I'm not sure Robbins is important as an NLP founder or as a contributor to it's development. He seems to have broken away and renamed his version 'neuro-associative conditioning' and become a sort of guru. It seems to me that if Salerno had wanted to include NLP as such in his definition of SHAM he easily could have done, but he doesn't. If you like I can type the whole of the one page on which NLP is mentioned here for discussion. Fainites 08:33, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

I was about to write "move it to Tony_Robbins#Neuro-linguistic_programming" but I notice it's already there. There's no need to duplicate it here. We can link to Tony Robbins for those who are interested. 58.178.134.120 12:22, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Yes. Comaze moved it a couple of weeks ago. It doesn't look as if any Tony Robbins supporters have noticed it yet. Re the 'SHAM' quote, the current version, now it's cut down gives a false impression. It's the dependancy on a guru thing Salerno's attacking. The quote left is about SHAM in which he includes Robbins but not NLP as such. Salerno starts off his section on Robbins with stuff about fire-walking and the repetition of the phrase 'cool moss'. Then he goes on "The phrase was one of the earliest manifestations of his growing absorption in neurolinguistic programming (NLP), a way of controllong thoughts and reworking basic assumptions about life developed in 1975 by.......etc.....NLP can be slippery to define succinctly, but it rests on the pithy cliche (at least in NLP circles) that 'the brain did not come with a user's manual.' He then carries on giving a basic explanation of subjective views of the world and some tenets like 'there is no failure, only feedback', saying this is 'now perceived as groundbreaking.' Then he says 'NLP has shown up in many settings inside and outside SHAM, but of late it has acquired particular cachet in business circles for it's usefulness in negotiations and conflict resolution - which is interesting, because Grinder and Bandler ultimately ended up in court, unable to resolve their own conflict over who owned the licensing to NLP. Nevertheless, dozens of firms offer derivative programs today, if not with quite the success Tony Robbins enjoys. Robbins made NLP his own, refining it and personalizing it into what he christened "neuroassociative conditioning". In 1986 came publication of his 'Unlimited Power.'

The rest is all about Robbins, his amazingly expensive seminars, his weird dietary promotions, franchise scandals and so on. I can't see other proponents agreeing that Robbins 'made NLP his own' when he's clearly made it something else. I can't see that most of this is much to do with NLP. Salerno's target is Robbins. We ought to stick to citations from people who have specifically investigated NLP rather than people investigating sham gurus who may have started off in NLP. As I pointed out, Salerno could have included NLP in his SHAM targets if he thought it warranted it. I'd be happy to remove Salerno altogether. I only put in such a long quote in the section in the first place because Salerno was one of the many citations for the claim that NLP is a cult that have all turned out to be fake. Fainites 16:07, 3 January 2007 (UTC)

Had a go at Salerno. The problem is, he does not criticise NLP as being one of the systems that gives people imaginary problems and then sells a remedy - only Robbins version of it. Robbins started off with firewalking, then got into NLP but then became a 'lifestyle guru'. It's very difficult to see how to present this fairly as anything that isn't a direct quote gets accused of being POV. Fainites 16:41, 4 January 2007 (UTC)

< note: some trolling and disinformation was moved to Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion >

I wonder of we should move that person who keeps putting his advert for 'NLP and Sales including Firewalking/Glasswalking and Seduction' into 'Associations', into the manipulation section as an example of misuse of NLP by the unethical? Fainites 21:11, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

We could report them to the blacklist. I think he has the same IP every time. 58.179.166.57 01:33, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Archiving

Could we archive the inactive threads? It is way too long. --Comaze 17:15, 31 December 2006 (UTC)

Done. 58.178.100.29 03:34, 1 January 2007 (UTC)
Also created Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion for archiving discussion from or about permabanned sockpuppet. All present and future sockpuppet posts will be moved there, especially all the recent trolling and disinformation. I note that all editors are in agreement [12] [13] [14] [15] on the sockpuppet problem on this page. Please post specific feedback on my talk page. 58.178.142.37 05:45, 5 January 2007 (UTC)

< note: some trolling and disinformation was moved to Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion >

[edit] Sock Puppets/Cults

Watch out for No 86.146.93.137. He just added a huge totally unsourced POV quote into the article with no discussion.[[16]] which was then set out by Headley/Barnet on talk.[[17]]. Looks like a sock of HD/AB The existing Langone quote is at least a quote, Langone being one of the people previously falsly cited as having stated NLP was a cult.Fainites 09:02, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

< note: some trolling and disinformation was moved to Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion >

On second thoughts 86, maybe that was a bit hasty. What you say about Langone may well be true, but it needs a verified source. I'll put your edit in here for discussion. Langone was originally in the article as one of the many fake or misleading citations to the proposition that NLP is a cult. This version of Langone makes it clear that he is only referring to the use of NLP by cults, who will, of course use anything. It might be better just to cut out the 'mind is your enemy' bit. Fainites 12:18, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

From 86.146.93.137 "The weakness of Langone's argument is that he makes various invalid assumptions. For example:

The way in which groups and individuals use various NLP techniques does not provide a valid link between NLP and any other person or group, any more than the fact that a hammer can be used to attack and even kill someone means that everyone who owns a hammer is a (potential) murder. Moreover Langone [i]appears[/i] to ignore the fact that many of the most aggressive and infamous cult techniques were already in widespread use in the 1960s and earlier - before NLP came into existence.

More specifically, Langone ignores the fact that the term [i]illusion[/i] is used differently in TM and in Scientology or est (the first being based on conventional Hindu beliefs, the second being the product of a sci-fi-type account of the universe devised by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1950s). NLP is different again in that it does not claim that the pecieved world is an illusion at all. It says that our perceptions are constrained by our individual physiology and experience and that therefore the [i]accuracy[/i] of our perceptions is irrevocably subjective at a person-by-person level.

By the same token, at no point in authentic NLP literature is there any claim that "your mind is your enemy", especially not in the sense that the phrase is used in TM or in Scientology or est (which are respectively derived from the sources mentioned above) and consequently does not attempt to teach people "techniques for escaping from the mind's grasp". On the contrary, authentic NLP is designed to teach people how to understand and work more effectively within the restraints of subjectivity. In this respect the NLP viewpoint is closer (though NOT the same as) to that of the school of philosophy known as Logical Positivism than TM, Scientology or est (the latter being a variation on Scientology."Fainites 12:18, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

86. There's alot of stuff already on Salerno about 3cms above under 'manipulation'. Suppose it said "We know that NLP is also used by some very aggressive cults because the NLP method can be used by such groups to instill a reliance upon the cult, and provides a conditioning method to further induce compliance." He describes NLP as "a tool for generating change for changes sake". Singer is very clear about what constitutes a cult, including psychotherapeutic and self-improvement cults and 'NLP' of itself does not fulfill her criteria. According to her the original 'brainwashing' techniques were developed in China post WWII and cult leaders have been refining and developing techniques ever since, borrowing from any source. Fainites 16:23, 6 January 2007 (UTC)

< note: some trolling and disinformation was moved to Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion >

Hi Fainites. Does Singer state NLP doesn't fill her criteria? I like your approach. The article shouldn't just a string of quotes thrown artitrarily together. We need some logical cohesion in what and why things were said. Good work. 58.178.199.92 21:53, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi 58. I'm working my way through 'Cults in our Midst'. It's actually a very interesting and in-depth book. There is no entry for NLP at all in the index. She doesn't mention it at all specifically; not even in the section on 'psychotherapeutic' cults. She describes two kinds of cults. The first use organized psychological persuasion processes to establish control over members lives. The second are commercially sold Large Group Awareness programmes and other 'self-improvement' psychology based organisations that use similar intense, co-ordinated persuasion processes but do not ordinarily intend to keep their members for life but only until their money runs out. Both types use thought reform processes garnered and refined from many sources over many years. She actually calls them 'ages-old persuasion techniques'. The essence of the vast majority of cults is the Leader and an authoritarian structure underneath him (or occasionally her). Cult leaders centre veneration on themselves and claim special knowledge. An invariable feature of cults is dishonesty and deception in recruitment. They also tend to be totalistic and require major disruptions in lifestyle. They only have two purposes; recruitment and fundraising. Interestingly she has two pages on Milton Erickson and the use of his gentle techniques to elicit initial co-operation. She makes the obvious point that the difference between Erickson and cults is that he is using his skills for the benefit of the patient, not to ensure co-operation to control, manipulate or 'rob' the patient for his own ends. There is invariably a staged process after initial recruitment until control is achieved, whether that involves living within a cult or not. I can't see how the diffuse, confused loose 'NLP community' fits into this at all. I also can't see how Singer could have missed it if she thought it was a cult. It's certainly more widely known than LGAT's or even Syanon. Where are the NLP cult 'survivors' (an important source of information on cults)? It is easy to see however, how NLP techniques, like other techniques, could be used by cultists as is briefly mentioned in a quote on p199, and as Langone seems to indicate is the case, or how somebody who achieves 'lifestyle guru' status like Tony Robbins could be on the borderline (but he's not mentioned). Actually I started off by looking for the cited quote in the article that Singer says in this book NLP is 'a purely commercial enterprise'. I haven't found it yet.

On structure, I had a look at a few other sites on controversial topics like Intelligent Design. They flow better because the editors, though at daggers drawn, allow sensible summarising and paraphrasing to present the arguments whereas we have allowed ourselves to be drawn into this exact quotes only business to the nth degree, mainly out of necessity. I'm all in favour of accurate quotes, but the article in general needs a more descriptive flow. Sorry to go on for so longFainites 22:55, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. I concur about descriptive flow. If I understand you correct Margaret Singer is more notable than Langone and she doesn't mention NLP as a cult. To me obviously they should both be on the cutting room floor. However I'd like to start a new section on this topic... 58.178.199.92 23:57, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

The psychotherapeutic cults she decribes are based on professionals deviating from ethically based, fee-for-service relationships to form cohesive, psychologically incestuous groups. sometimes there's more than one professional (or pretend professional) involved. The other types are LGAT's which are religious and philosophical in nature (although this is concealed on recruitment) and use thought reform processes and intense persuasion and group pressure, and management courses which again conceal their true purpose, which is recruitment into cults or further programmes. Singer is at times controversial but she is one of the experts on cults. Certainly she outclasses Langone but that doesn't mean Langone's wrong in saying some cults use NLP. The point is cults will use any psychological technique to gain control and have been doing so successfully since before NLP was invented. As for starting a new section on this topic, I started off assuming it was a topic but now I'm not so sure.Fainites 15:47, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

You know what? I wish we could simply reinstate something simpler like:
  • In his book 'Recovery from Cults' Michael Langone states "the NLP method can be used ... to instill a reliance upon the cult, and provides a conditioning method to further induce compliance." Langone says that NLP is akin to some cults but describes NLP as "a tool for generating change for changes sake" that lacks the cultic factor "in which the groups leader is elevated to cosmic importance..."
I don't think Langone is notable or coherent enough for more words than this; so the more concise the better. As long as we make Langones views clear in the context of his outrageous hitlerisms I think we've represented him accurately. I'm not against using other citations to point out how idiotic his tenuous links are, but is it really necessary? Your thoughts? 58.179.184.190 19:19, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

How about "In his book 'Recovery from Cults' Michael Langone states "We know that NLP is also used by some very aggressive cults because the NLP method can be used by such groups to instill a reliance upon the cult, and provides a conditioning method to further induce compliance." He describes NLP as "a tool for generating change for changes sake" . According to Singer, veneration a of leader is an essential part of these types of cults so his comparison which just shows it isn't a cult is redundant. All he's worth quoting for is that some cults use it. We could also add that Singer states cults have been using mind control/thought reform techniques from before NLP was invented. As stated above, she actually says 'ages old persuasion techniques'. We could dump it altogether but there's so much propaganda to the effect that NLP is a cult that we ought to have in what information there is on this issue. By the same token I suppose Salerno remains of some relevance as he's gone on from NLP to become a lifestyle guru.Fainites 19:41, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

On Salerno again (sorry) I've found a reference in O'Connor and Seymours booklist which says; "Awaken the Giant Within. Anthony Robbins. A book about the structure of destiny and the science(sic) of Neuro Associative Conditioning (NAC!) Exciting and motivating, though not strictly NLP" Fainites 20:02, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Tried those two ideas out. Also included some Singer so people can link to find out what a cult actually is.Fainites 20:59, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Also removed the citation for Singer saying it's a purely commercial enterprise as it's not in the 'Cults in our Midst' book. I suspect that or something similar is in her other book 'Crazy Therapies' but I haven't got hold of a copy yet. Will check when I have a copy (unless someone out there already has one).Fainites 21:31, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi Fainites. I prefer your version to mine. However, your version includes original research and mine doesn't. So on that basis, I think mine:
  • In his book 'Recovery from Cults' Michael Langone states "the NLP method can be used ... to instill a reliance upon the cult, and provides a conditioning method to further induce compliance." Langone says that NLP is akin to some cults but describes NLP as "a tool for generating change for changes sake" that lacks the cultic factor "in which the groups leader is elevated to cosmic importance..."

Will stand the test of time better after we are gone from this article. I mean, do you really know why Singer didn't include NLP in her list? It's pretty speculative isn't it? For me, adding Singer to counter Langone is like taking one loud so what! and adding another equally loud sou what! It's what I reckon the cleanup taskforce were so brutal about. Perhaps we could remove most of langone and leave a note in the text with the full citations and why we omitted them. 58.179.184.190 23:22, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

OK. I see what you mean. But Singer is very clear that one of the main factors distinguishing cults from non-cults is ulterior motive. She cites the Marine Corps as an example of an authoritan, hierarchical organisation that isn't a cult. We wouldn't expect to see an explanation of why it isn't a cult in an article on the Marine Corps, but then the Marine Corps doesn't spend it's time being accused of being a cult. I'm not happy about something that says NLP is like a cult when it's not quite what Langone says and when it lacks the essential elements that make a cult a cult rather than just an organisation or a system of beliefs or a self-improvment therapy or a religion. All of these things share a few aspects of cults but all of them lack essential elements. It's like saying a slice of bread is 'akin' to a sandwich. The only really accurate thing to say from Langone is that NLP is one of many techniques used by some cults. There may be some other sources out there on this topic.Fainites 08:14, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

I concur with what you say. Langone is clearly a minority view on this. Why have him in the article at all? He seems to be drawing a rather long bow with no actual information. 58.179.184.190 13:34, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

To be fair to Langone, his book is prefaced by Singer. I just don't see the point of a citation that basically says some cults use NLP. So what? Many cults use hypnotherapy techniques. I'll leave it for a while to see if we get any more views. If not, my inclination would be to remove it.Fainites 15:56, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

Again, I concur. I don't see the point either. 58.179.187.123 21:27, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

< note: some trolling and disinformation was moved to Talk:Neuro-linguistic_programming/_longterm_abuser_discussion >

[edit] Major rewrite indicated

I think an entire article reweighting is indicated based on the cleanup taskforce feedback and recent discussion. They've made it abundantly clear it's a tedious bore to read about who does and who doesn't think NLP is good/bad cultic/effective etc. They just want read about the what, how and why of NLP. The unecessary talkpage debate over the last year has encouraged editors into a direction of "this citation valides NLP" versus "this citation invalidates NLP". I think we can have a lot cleaner treatment of the article these days. It should be fairly simple to focus on what historically happened when various people tried NLP without having to say they henceforth became prominent promoters or they henceforth became notable critics.

Anyway rather than immediately starting a major rewrite I thought a way forward might be to list the kind of specific and real-world questions readers might have in coming to this article:

  • What does NLP stand for?
  • What did that person mean by saying they're an NLP practitioner? What do they do? Where do they do it? Who pays them for this?
  • What did that organisation/person mean by saying they're use NLP to X,Y,Z?
  • Where did this NLP stuff come from?
  • Is it popular? In what circles is it popular?
  • Isn't NLP just another seminar based snake-oil promo thing?
  • Why isn't NLP part of mainstream psychology?

Anyway, there could be hundreds of these questions. But if we take it slowly enough, we can work out which are the most pertinent questions, and can get a feel for where we want to head with the article. A major rewrite should be possible and pleasing for all. Want to add some questions? 58.178.199.92 23:57, 7 January 2007 (UTC)

Is the ACS Article on NLP written in that style? Keep in mind that it is directed at consumers of therapy when NLP has also been applied elsewhere. --Comaze 01:23, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for the link. It's much better than our article but it's structure is from the perspective that NLP is useful. We can avoid that kind of style if we are careful. Actually, I think it's unclear what style we need here. That's why I suggested a rather obtuse process. I was hoping if we engage in a process like I suggested a clear way forward might emerge. So, what kind of realistic curiosities do you think potential readers will have Comaze? 58.178.199.92 07:24, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Oh no! Not another total rewrite! Actually in case you hadn't noticed, 58, most of 'concepts and methods' has already been rewritten in the last week or so in an effort to provide a user friendly description of it all. Don't you like it? However, I agree with you that it needs some thought. I think cleanups point about the average reader thinking 'well do I need to be in therapy already or not?' was a pertinent one. I think there's scope for expanding the paragraph before 'history' (I've already tried to clarify it) or merging it with the intro'. The other point, as stated by Sharpley, is that NLP has collected methods and techniques from all over the shop, many of them tried and tested. This seems to me to be a separate issue to the underlying pseudoscience blurb. I think a better explanation of NLP's roots in copying Erickson, Perl and Satir, leading to it's use as an adjunct by therapists, as opposed to it's other incarnations as stand alone systems for modeling experts, therapeutic or self improvement method in it's own right. This probably your question 2. and 3. Your other questions are also pertinent and I'm happy to engage in your process. The article has veered off course with this obsession with research reviews. Well, they're all in now so we can get on with the rest of it.Fainites 16:03, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

Hehe. I know, yeah, not another rewrite. Good call. Actually, I like the concepts and methods. It's the history and development section I'd like improved most. The history opening is great. Yet the history section is also meant to be about the development of NLP. In trying to say the history of everything about NLP without omission the section often communicates very little for a casual reader. For example, read this history section of the 80's (I've put comments in bold):

In the 1980s, shortly after publishing Neuro-linguistic Programming Volume 1 [3] with Robert Dilts and Judith Delozier, Grinder and Bandler fell out. politics and name dropping, will the casual reader be searching or rivetted by this information Amidst acrimony and intellectual property lawsuits, NLP started to be developed haphazardly by many individuals. politics, plus overgeneral history says nothing much During the 1980s John Grinder and Judith Delozier collaborated to develop a form of NLP called the New Code of NLP which attempted to restore a whole mind-body systemic approach to NLP. finally some development history but it reads like a promo: systemic mind-body? sounds like snake-oil to a newbie Richard Bandler also published new processes with submodalities and Ericksonian hypnosis as in Using Your Brain: For a Change (1984). some more good development history but submodalities is jargon so our newbie reader is just getting confused now Meanwhile Anthony Robbins who taught NLP in the late 1970s, began mass marketing products incorporating aspects of NLP (renamed as Neuro Associative Conditioning). more politics, more jargon, yay! not Other practitioners and trainers modified, renamed and developed their own variations of NLP. Michael Hall offered NLP with Neurosemantics and Tad James offered NLP with Time Line Therapy™. New and influential developers Judith DeLozier, and Connirae and Steve Andreas also emerged during this time. Given the multiplicity of developers and trainers, there was to be no single definitive system of NLP.[6] mostly politics jargon and name dropping
In the late 1980s, Sharpley's (1984, 1987) research reviews in experimental counseling psychology and by the United States National Research Council gave NLP an overall negative assessment. Thereafter, except for sporadic articles on NLP in different fields, there was a marked decrease in NLP research. more development history

On the whole, this section isn't targetting a casual reader. It's targeting someone who already knows NLP and wants to know the details of the history. Is this really our target audience?

I guess my commentary is a bit harsh but I'm trying to make the point that I think we need some specific language describing stuff NLP practitioners do (without trying to sound like headley here; ahem). Also, we don't really need to name every prominent figure in NLP along with the name of their field and the name of their book. Do we? Again, that's not for a casual reader.

For example, we could say:

  • Michael Hall developed a timeline therapy consulting technique < book reference link only > where clients were encouraged to visualise, and perhaps also physically create the timeline of their life (or facets of it) and then alter and improve that timeline.

or even

  • A timeline therapy consulting technique was developed< michael hall book reference link only >, where clients were encouraged to visualise, and perhaps also physically create the timeline of their life (or facets of it) and then alter and improve that timeline.

We don't even need to mention peoples names; casual readers often couldn't care less. I think that kind of style is worth a lot more to casual readers than names, jargon and politics; noting that I think we need to repeat the concept of creating representations a few times throughout the article (and in different ways) so that casual readers don't miss that creating and manipulating representations based on specific goals is fundamentally what NLP is about.

Fainites, regarding your point about Sharpley: techniques grabbed from all over the shop. To me, this is really Sharpley's way of saying that NLP people model other people. I think a nice middle-ground is to say "consulting technique X was developed by person Y observing person Z." however, we'd want to minimise that style as it gets tedious quickly. Anyway, too long, your thoughts? 58.179.184.190 18:32, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

On second thoughts, we could just retitle the section "History and politics" and be done with it. :) 58.179.184.190 18:45, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

We could dump the whole lot in 'History of NLP' and start again. I like the user friendly approach. I think your timeline example makes it much more readable. However, it does lead me back to something we discussed earlier. Should we do concepts and methods before we do history? I know it works well the other way round in the psychology article but most people would have some idea of what psychology was. NLP is so eclectic and jargon-ridden by comparison. I think readers will struggle with trying to work out whether it's a therapy or not. Even the proponents seem to struggle with that one. Also, I'm not so sure Sharpleys description is really just modeling. It may be what NLPers call it, but for example 'Parts Integration' seems to be practically a straight copy of Ego-state Therapy [[18]] from psychoanalysis, although they got it from Virginia Satir. I find the whole idea of copying eg Erickson in exact detail and then calling it NLP a strange concept anyway. If you copy Erickson, aren't you doing Ericksonian hypnotherapy? If you copy Erickson, Satir, Perl and goodness knows who else, the same applies. The 'new' idea was trying to reduce copying to a system that could be applied to anything. (What about Gordon Ramsay to be a great chef?). The trouble is, when you then look at things like anchoring, parts integration, swish and so on, it's all therapy stuff and doesn't seem on the face of it to be anything to do with eg becoming a great salesman by modeling the Coals to Newcastle King. Modeling yourself needs more explanantion. Is 'creating and manipulating representations based on specific goals' what it's all about when used as a therapy rather than when modeling another? Am I making sense or displaying my basic ignorance?Fainites 19:32, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

On second thoughts, lets try your way. We can always paste the current history section back in if it doesn't work.Fainites 19:53, 8 January 2007 (UTC)

I'm fine to incorporate concepts and methods into the history section. To me, this solves the problem of people trying to tar all of NLP with the one brush when criticising. I think it's useful to point out what was developed and also what was discarded in a useful chronology. I haven't partaken much in the concepts and methods section yet. Let's do the history section differently and see how it goes, like you say. Who knows, perhaps it will help us reduce some of the excess in the concepts and methods section. 58.179.184.190 23:19, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
That's great 58. Keep up the good work. I'm on holidays for a few days :) --Comaze 23:46, 8 January 2007 (UTC)
Okay. Will get into it this week. Enjoy the break. 58.179.184.190 13:25, 9 January 2007 (UTC)

I've cut out as much unecessary verbiage and tautology as I can in the history sections in the hope that if concepts are added in, the overall length will be no worse. 13 lines in total gone without removing any information as yet.Fainites 20:36, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

That's an awesome start. There's another article for a comprehensive history so we can afford to omit boring details here and there. I can do some things, perhaps later. 58.179.137.240 21:43, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

58. If we try concepts first and history second as suggested above we wouldn't have to put too many concepts in history. I've tried it out. What do you think? Fainites 17:33, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Also moved Research Reviews to just after the 'science' section. The Reviews are all hard science so fit better after the science/pseudoscience issue. Humanistic softy science and technology come after. Then Mental health practice I think.Fainites 17:52, 11 January 2007 (UTC)



[edit] Concepts versus History

Hi Faintes. I'd like Comaze's input on this also. While I understand there's some pretty fundamental concepts and techniques in NLP. My understanding is also that many of these concepts and techniques have altered over the years to fit with the changing views of Banderl, Grinder and whoever else, but also to address criticisms. So I see the logic in putting concepts and methods first (before history) and then including in history the various alterations NLP techniques themselves have gone through. Anyway, keep going I like your changes to the article. 58.179.167.179 22:35, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

Ta very much. I think techniques changing over the years is entirely in keeping with the practical 'what works' approach. However, concepts or underlying principles is different. I was a bit suprised to see the O'Connor/Seymour book 2000 version still had that picture of the man with all the little arrows showing where he's looking, for PRS cues. PRS's that can be inferred from external cues (not representational systems in themselves) are one of the things that's been most tested and most disproved. Real science is supposed to develop in the light of new evidence. Anyway, off to sleep now :) Fainites 22:45, 11 January 2007 (UTC)

The way PRS is used has been changed by atleast some trainers that I know of. I don't know if these changes have turned up in the literature. Grinder for example still uses the PRS but says that calibration of PRS is only valid for 20 seconds. I think reorder improves flow. Having application up the top also makes sense to me. I think that the application paragraph could be more objective. I believe building rapport through matching sensory predicates is still an essential part of NLP practitioner training. This does not have much support in the experimental literature. In terms of the flow, the reorder makes it alot easier to comprehend and avoid going into the politics. I think if we stick the the main models (meta model, milton model, rapport, reframing, PRS, submodalities) then it will be easier to understand. We can still have short descriptions of the other techniques with links for more details. The simpler the better ;) --Comaze 01:20, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Yes, I'd like to stick to the main models. The scope of the article shouldn't include Parts Integration, Timeline therapy, etc. 58.179.167.179 03:30, 12 January 2007 (UTC)
I think that parts negotiation and integration is already covered by reframing, and timelines can be explained in terms of submodalities. The general idea in NLP is that people organise their subjective representation of time spacially. Metaphorically speaking, the past might seem to be behind and the future out to the front. Another person might represent past to the left and future to the right. The general idea in NLP is that people will gesture toward the location of their internal images when talking about the past or the future. When someone says their future is looking up, the internal image is literally evalated in their mind. --Comaze 06:16, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Location eh? Thats one of the things Mr Clean-up complained of. There was one paper specifically on sensory predicates somewhere above. I'll have a look later. Fainites 07:34, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

I was writing from memory. I'll check the sources. --Comaze 00:04, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Do you think we can reduce the science/pseudoscience/humanistic Psychology/Technology section to summaries with refs (not the Reviews)or is that just asking for trouble given previous attempts at summaries?Fainites 23:16, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Just keep in mind that any synthesis needs to be attributed to a source. To avoid conflict on this article we've overused quotes and extended paraphrases. Fainites' proposal is a necessary next step. --Comaze 00:04, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

I was thinking of summaries rather than syntheses. I think it was necessary originally to obtain accurate quotes in context to counterract the previous problems of false and inaccurate citations. However, it has resulted in a rather relentlessly unwieldy heap of quotes with no real linking. We could put some of the quotes on the ref section as you suggested earlier but that doesn't seem to be something much done in general. Lets not rush in though. Also, I removed Williams. I don't see the point of him. All he does is give a potted description of NLP in a book called 'Encyclopaedia of pseudoscience' which has in itself been criticised. We already have a number of prominent scientists stating it is pseudoscience and why and Williams attempt to describe NLP in one sentence is neither here nor there.Fainites 00:18, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

By the way Comaze, Singer says 'Initially Bandler and Grinder stated that each person had a PRS.' That rather implies they dropped it later but she doesn't specifically say so, and it's still in O'Connor and Seymour in 2000.Fainites 00:24, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

There's a summary of the many different interpretation of PRS and a quote from Grinder & Bostic St Clair (2001) here: "John Grinder has recommended that 'anyone using the representational system material (e.g. eye movement patterns, unconscious selection of predicates....), [should] recognize and act congruently with the proposition that 'the temporal value of a representational system diagnosis is 30 seconds.'[19] --Comaze 00:42, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

What a way to write!. Fancy saying 'should recognize and act congruently with the proposition' that, instead of 'ought to know ' that! Fainites 15:01, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

You'd expect more from a linguist. In his defense it was a quote from an interview. --Comaze 02:50, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Comaze, 58. I've reduced the number of links and red names. 'Peer review' didn't like them. The bold coloured bits are a bit distracting. I always feel like the page is shouting bits at me. I thought it best to stick to links directly relevant to the subject. I also removed the bits about Sharpley etc being 'evidence based', or 'skeptics'. All of the scientists in research reviews are hard scientists and as 'reviews' is now in the section labelled science/pseudo science, it's not necessary. The criticism of the process by softy science is in the next section. Fainites 22:48, 13 January 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Practitioners and Clients

If you do a search for "client" or "practitioner" in the article you'll see that we assume the reader understands the context of these words and yet we never explicitly frame their use anywhere in the article. I think this is an oversight because many readers won't even know why these terms are used. I think it that needs rectifying, to say that NLP happens in seminars and in practitioner to client consultation. Perhaps in the introduction? Your thoughts? 58.179.187.226 17:17, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

How about in 'Applications'? Fainites 19:59, 13 January 2007 (UTC)
Actually, how about the first sentence reading 'Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a set of techniques, axioms and beliefs, that adherents use primarily as an approach to personal development, both with individuals in a practitioner/client relationship and in training seminars. Fainites 20:03, 13 January 2007 (UTC)

Actually, that's a bit of a mouthful. How about two sentences? 58.178.206.62 21:13, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

I've put in mention of practitioner /client in the general description. What do you think? Fainites 21:36, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Yep, that works really well. The general description, in general, is great. Well done. 211.27.105.172 01:14, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Major Rewrite (not)

Rather than the major rewrites suggested, I've tried some restructuring. Bearing in mind the advice of Mr Cleanup, I've attempted a two sentence description at the beginning, (not quite got it I think) followed by what was the applications section to describe it's use, with the more detailed description now appearing at the beginning of concepts and methods. The much discussed sentence on popularity and lack of scientific validation now appears in General description, as does the point that it's basic underlying principles are unsupported by scientific research, although many techniques appear to have been borrowed from other disciplines. I think this arrangement gives the average intelligent but 'NLP ignorant' reader some idea of what it all is and where, at the outset. Thoughts please.Fainites 14:25, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Comaze, is 'mirroring' part of rapport or something extra or different? Fainites 14:58, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Mirroring is one way to build rapport. It is an essential part of the Milton model that has been incorporated into NLP. Erickson would pace (through matching and mirroring) posture and breathing to build rapport and then seek to lead his clients to other states for therapeutic work. Erickson was the origin of the rapport model in NLP. --Comaze 23:53, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

I've separated representational systems (which seem to be pretty standard) from preferred representational systems which seem to be the aspect most researched and most discounted by research. I've also tried to reduce repetition and verbiage in the various science sections without actually removing any information or direct quotes. Then we can see what can and what can't be summarised.Fainites 20:45, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

I've looked up Windy Dryden and Albert Ellis, proponents of Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy who are cited as saying NLP is of dubious validity. In fact this is the only thing they say about NLP which doesn't even appear in the index. It appears in a list of techniques they advise REBTers to be careful of using, including psychoanalysis! As we have approximately 3 million research reviews saying NLP has no scientific validity, do we need Windy Dryden, the proponent of an alternative therapy, repeating the obvious? Fainites 21:17, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

No we don't. All good. Let's see how it turns out. 58.178.206.62 21:19, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi 58. I've just found this in the psychotherapy article

"A distinction can also be made between those psychotherapies that employ a medical model and those that employ a humanistic model. In the medical model the client is seen as unwell and the therapist employs their skill to help them back to health. The extensive use of the DSM-IV, the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders in the United States, is an example of a medically-exclusive model.

In the humanistic model, the therapist facilitates learning in the individual and the clients own natural process draws them to a fuller understanding of themselves. An example would be gestalt therapy."

Nice eh? They've been allowed to write in essay style, as per Wiki policies as opposed to this anal recitation of quotes that we have here.Fainites 21:34, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

Windy's blown out. Underneath him is Krugman. The summary from him says nothing not said elsewhere but it's not a direct quote. Does anybody have access to the actual article so it can be checked? He may well say something interesting, or knowing the way old citations pan out in this article, nothing at all.Fainites 21:40, 14 January 2007 (UTC)

I have Krugman article here. I'll check it when I get back to the office. --Comaze 00:02, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

I've also deleted Singer saying NLP is a purely commercial enterprise in 'Crazy Therapies' as she doesn't say this or indeed anything like this. I've corrected other quotes of hers elsewhere in the article, particularly her criticism of the use of science type jargon by proponents. NLP is one of 4 therapies she describes as 'Fast, magical-fix techniques'. Her main criticism of NLP is that it's principles have not been borne out by scientific research and the claims made for quick easy cures of almost anything are simply not justified. Whilst this is bad enough, it's not half as bad as some of the criticisms she makes of other 'therapies' like alien abduction, satanic abuse, sexual therapies (with the therapist of course) and so on. Interesting book. I'll see if there's a handy quote to go in that section that sums up the 'quick-fix' view.Fainites 22:42, 14 January 2007 (UTC) The original Singer citation for this quote was 'Cults in our Midst' which of course doesn't cover NLP at all and so was completely fake.[[20]] Fainites 18:53, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Comaze. I think 'mirroring' ought to be added to rapport as it's pretty central to what proponents are trained to do. I just wanted to check that it wasn't intended to be something else from Miltonian rapport. (There's some rather entertaining descriptions in Singer of a couple of practitioners who've totally grasped mirroring but nothing else to the point where the 'therapy' becomes a pantomime! Both patients push off after one session. Still, that's minor compared to what she describes happening to people with most of the 'therapies' she describes.)Fainites 08:02, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

It really depends on who is teaching the rapport. If the mirroring is done deliberately it comes across as a wooden pantomime. Furthermore rapport occurs naturally when people are interested in each other. This is essentially what NLP is trying to capture. Rapport is more like a dance. --Comaze 12:06, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Re your earlier answer on PRS, Comaze, it looks as if it's still being taught and used, even if you have to be quick to spot it. Fainites 08:39, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

If someone is especially adept in one sensory system then it might be a good idea to develop the use of the other systems. Someone who is good with visualisation, might develop their auditory system. --Comaze 12:19, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks Comaze. I'll try and add in something on mirroring later, unless you want to have a shot at it. I would have thought that all the best therapists are the ones who are genuinely interested in other people, whatever the therapy :) Fainites 12:54, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

I've had a look at Schutz and Platt. Neither actually mention a professional code of ethics, but I suppose it goes without saying that if there's no regulating body there's no regulated code of ethics. I improved Schutz a bit and put him in the general description aswell. Fainites 21:08, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Any advance on Krugman Comaze? Fainites 11:34, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

The study by Krugman et al tested NLP as a single session treatment for public speaking anxiety. A procedure described in Frogs into Princes was compared against Cognitive behavior therapy and waiting list control group. Krugman et al state that "the results of this study cast doubt on the effectiveness of NLP as a single-session treatment for anxiety. On the other hand, they tell us nothing about the effectiveness of these procedures when administered over a more extended period of time." In discussion of the finds they conclude by stating, "Beyond challenging the therapeutic effectiveness of the single-session phobia treatment, the findings of this research argue strongly for continued study of neuro-linguistic programming and other behavior change interventions that have achieved widespread popularity in the absence of data supporting their utility" Martin Krugman, Irving Kirsch, Cynthia Wickless, Len Milling, Heidi Golicz and Anna Toth (1985) Neuro-Linguistic Programming Treatment for Anxiety: Magic or Myth? Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology Vol. 53, No. 4, 526-530 --Comaze 01:36, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for sending the paper Comaze. Interesting and relevant. Clearly designed to test 'quick-fix' claims. It could go in somewhere on that basis, but it doesn't support the sentence the ref is currently attached too. 'Mental health practice' seems right as Krugman is saying to therapists, don't fall for 'quick fix' claims without research back-up. Singers main criticism is of 'quick-fix' magic claims (aside from lack of scientific validity of course). We could add 'Singer criticises NLP as one of a number of 'quick-fix' techniques, unsupported by scientific evaluation'.[User:Fainites|Fainites]] 09:10, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Milton E. and 3rd party opinion

Just as a matter of interest, does anybody know what Erickson thought of NLP? Fainites 19:01, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

In the preface to Patterns of Milton Erickson Vol.1 by Bandler and Grinder (1976), Milton wrote: "Although this book by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, to which I am contributing this preface, is far from being a complete description of my methodologies, as they so clearly state it is a much better explanation of how I work than I, myself, can give... While I would like a still further analyses of the complexities of communication for hypnotic purposes, which would require much more than this book by Bandler and Grinder can encompass, I would also like an analysis of how and why carefully structured communications can elicit such extensive and effective patient responses. Unquestionable, such additional studies will eventually be made. I look forward to Volume II in this series, by Richard Bandler and John Grinder. It has been a pleasure to write the Preface to this book, I say this because long overdue is the fulfillment of the need to recognize that meaningful communication should replace repetitious verbigerations, direct suggestions, and authoritarian commands." Milton H. Erickson MD (Preface, vii-ix). --Comaze 23:23, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Comaze, does the milton model include predicate matching? Fainites 22:46, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Predicate matching comes from the idea that it is important to speak in the client's language. This was probably influenced by Virginia Satir and Fritz Perls. Identifying predicates presupposed in language,first appeared in NLP in Structure of Magic Volume II as part of Representational systems, and predicates. This idea holds that certain sensory specific predicates presuppose that a client is thinking in that specific system. That being said, the Milton model could easily be used to soften the predicate matching and also lead people to use non-dominant systems. --Comaze 23:23, 15 January 2007 (UTC)

Perhaps predicate matching should be removed from the 'milton model' section then if it's not miltons thing.Fainites 08:06, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

While I agree it was not Milton's thing. Predicate matching has been used with some of Milton's notions of rapport and overloading conscious attention. Overloading conscious attention is achieved by loading language with predicates from all senses. Or conversely removing all predicates (non-specific language) to allow the client to fill in the gaps. --Comaze 09:55, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

It would be interesting to find out what is The Milton Erickson Foundation current stance on NLP. --Comaze 03:18, 16 January 2007 (UTC) Here's an article by Erickson's daughter and Robert Dilts... [21]. I believe that the foundation has otherwise distanced itself from NLP. --Comaze 03:26, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

It's a bit like fan-mail from Dilts really isn't it. Also, he lists the techniques they still use but irritatingly doesn't list the techniques they don't still use!. I suppose a fully informed NLPer could fill in the gap for us.Fainites 09:36, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Can we ask for an interim report from Mr cleanup? i.e. are we going in the right direction.Fainites 15:40, 16 January 2007 (UTC)

We could ask peer review or cleanup taskforce for an interim report. It is probably a good time to open another peer-review. --Comaze 01:18, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

One of the things peer review wibbled about was the refs not being full enough and not containing page numbers. I know alot of work has gone into accuracy and proper citation and wikification of refs since then but we ought to check the page numbers. I'd like to know what Cleanup thinks aswell. We haven't got rid of what he calls 'this childish, redundant, redundant, redundant debate' ie whether NLP is or isn't valid, a science, pseudoscience etc, but it has been pushed back a bit to it's proper place, ie after the reader is given some idea of what NLP actually is. Personally, although we can certainly reduce those sections on science/reviews/technology etc even further to summarised form, I don't really see the harm in leaving them in, if they're not dominating the whole article; but then I'm new to the encyclopaedia business. Thoughts please.Fainites 10:26, 17 January 2007 (UTC)09:18, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Do you think we should mention V/KD or whatever it's called anywhere or change history? Are there any other important principles or techniques we've left out.Fainites 09:33, 17 January 2007 (UTC)

Ecology?
I'd also like to hear from Mr. Cleanup and see if we're heading in the right direction. 58.179.191.108 11:01, 18 January 2007 (UTC)
Yes, we need something on ecology. Let's contact the Cleanup taskforce to get their advice on the progress (or lack thereof ;) --Comaze 00:03, 19 January 2007 (UTC)


[edit] Due concision

Hi Fainites, Comaze, Doc. I think we need to take great care to present the concise details of NLP in the introduction, and I'm not sure that we've been doing that too successfully yet. I think we should be clearly generalising NLP in the intro so that new readers can actually understand what it is all about. I've noticed that some of the current writing attempts to convey NLP so precisely that it reads almost mathematically. This style does not lend itself to a clear exposition for a new reader. It reads a bit like:

  • NLP is a great many things, though mostly known as X, it is also Y, because it was first used as Z, yet the underlying theory is A, with parts of B also.

It's just a mess for a first time reader. All we really need to say is:

  • NLP is mostly known as X.

The rest can be made clear in further sections, but best kept out of the intro. With this in mind, I've been cutting a few of what I call overly fluffy sentences. Let me know if you want to discuss restoring any.

Also, please be careful how far the criticism of NLP get pushed down in the intro. They need to appear in the first couple of sentences obviously. Take care. 211.26.224.45 00:06, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Good point. Could you fill in the X ? :) --Comaze 01:10, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Fine but I think the description should mention the distinction between therapists in other therapeutic disciplines using NLP techniques and NLP practitioners dealing with personal development individually or things like management training. I think this is an important distinction.Mr Cleanup did complain that as a reader he couldn't glean for example whether he was supposed to be in therapy , was it a therapy or what.I agree about the criticism appearing earlier. How about a briefer description, or longer intro, and then an 'Applications' section? You fill in the 'X' and we'll take it from there.Fainites 07:04, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

All good. I approve. The X is the tricky part. :) But actually, I already filled it in with:

  • NLP is mostly known as a therapy and personal development system...

Or something like that. Have you read the sentence I put in? I'm quite comfortable that sums up NLP perfectly for an intro. 211.26.224.45 07:22, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

Glad you're comfortable :) Tried a bit more in the intro. I think strictly historically 'metamodel' came first but the models of the therapists is more where it's at. Should 'general description' be renamed 'applications' again?Fainites 20:24, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

There's beenan edit with no edit summary from an anonymous number which simply removes (rather carelessly) the example given for metamodels. Was there anything wrong with the example? Cleanup were quite keen on examples.Fainites 23:22, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

I've restored it. I think that example help the reader understand the purpose of the meta model. --Comaze 00:21, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Hi all. Regarding the above discussion about criticism in the intro, I just thought I'dpost here what Cleanup said about it. We've since added more citations to the main research, two lines below in 'description' where it says the underlying principles are unsupported by research, plus non-scientific criticisms. Cleanup said ' "often being mixed with pop psychology and other applications outside of mainstream." and "remains scientifically unvalidated.[4]" That's fine. Allow one or two more, then enough already. We aint STUPID. Chill out, Vendeta Man. ' Is this now enough? Fainites 17:10, 20 January 2007 (UTC)

Just to say Elithebarrowboy has added a contribution to the discussion on Esterbrook in the technology section 2/3rds of the way up the page in case anybody misses it. Also, I still think it's important to make a distinction between existing professional using NLP as an adjunct and people who've just done NLP operating as practitoners, whether for personal development or therapy. Fainites 16:07, 21 January 2007 (UTC)


[edit] New NLP update on ANI article

I added an update to the ANI article. Feel free to comment there or not as you wish. [22]AlanBarnet 07:19, 19 January 2007 (UTC)

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