Neuro entails the concept of Neurology (an aspect which covers the activities of the nervous system in association with the brain) and the linguistic is a phenomenon of language implications. The programming on the other hand refers to behavioral patterns acquired through personal or impersonal experiences. As such, the Neuro linguistic programming connote the relationship which exists between neural processes, the language of the personality involved and behavioral patterns of the Ego. The central idea of this concept is centered upon the management of these concept while gearing it towards achieving certain results. It is often argued that Neuro-linguistic programming is capable of solving problems such as depressions, phobia, psychosomatics, learning disorders, allergies amidst others in a single session. Although there have been various criticisms as regard this approach over the years claiming it as an outdated body of knowledge as per how the brain works yet, to an extent, it still works.
Concepts Associated with Neuro Linguistics Programming
For better understanding, it is imperative to view the concept of NLP from three broad categories/concepts; Consciousness, Subjectivity and Learning.
- CONSCIOUSNESS: NLP is built on one of the conception that ‘Consciousness’ is divided into two components; The Conscious component and the Unconscious component. Thus, NLP advocates posit that the subjective activities which occurs outside the awareness of the Ego(individuals) is referred to as the ‘Unconscious mind’. While at the other end, the conscious component purports the awareness of the Ego.
- SUBJECTIVITY: Every persona views the world subjectively, resulting into subjective representations of our own experiences. It is believed that the subjective representations constitute five (5) senses and language. In essence, our subjective conscious experience is split into five senses; Vision, Tactition, Olfaction, Gustation and Audition in such a way that when we think of an event, we anticipate the outcome. In so many cases, we’ll ‘see’ images, ‘feel’ tactile sensations, ‘smell’ things, ‘hear’ our own thoughts and ‘taste’ flavors in a language we understand (although these activities all occur in our heads). In addition, it is believed that subjective representation of experiences has a distinct PATTERN. In this sense the idea of NLP being a study of the structure of subjective experience is drawn out this conception.
- LEARNING: NLP effectively uses the method of Modelling (imitative mechanism), consequentially codifying and reproducing an epitomic pattern of an activity. An important branch of the codification process is a description of the series of sensory or linguistic representations of the subjective experience of the model during the execution of the expertise in question.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming Techniques
In response to Steinbach’s research, interactions in the NLP can be comprehended as a table with four major branches (i.e. stages) which includes Rapport establishment, obtaining information about the mental state and desire of such client, using specific techniques and tools to make interventions, and infusing proposed changes in the client’s life. It should be noted that the entire process of this technique could be guided by both verbal and non-verbal responses from the client.
In a nutshell, to carry out the NLP technique, the practitioner establishes a rapport by leading the verbal or conversation via sensory predicates or keywords, after which the practitioner gathers information regarding the client’s visions and desires while paying attention to both verbal and non-verbal responses. The next step is for the practitioner to assist the client in attaining specific and desired result by using certain techniques and tools. Finally, the practitioner integrates desired result by helping the client to constantly and frequently rehearse the changes that has been made.
