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neurolinguistic programming

low
UK/ˌnjʊərəʊlɪŋˌɡwɪstɪk ˈprəʊɡræmɪŋ/US/ˌnʊroʊlɪŋˌɡwɪstɪk ˈproʊɡræmɪŋ/

technical/pseudoscientific

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

A pseudoscientific approach to communication, personal development, and psychotherapy created in the 1970s, claiming that there is a connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns learned through experience.

A methodology or set of techniques used in coaching, therapy, and business training to model successful behaviors, change thought patterns, and improve communication by understanding the relationship between mind, language, and action.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily used in contexts related to alternative therapy, self-help, business coaching, and personal development. Often abbreviated as 'NLP'.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant spelling differences. The term is used identically, though institutional acceptance and regulatory status may vary.

Connotations

In both regions, carries connotations of alternative/complementary therapy and business coaching. May be viewed with skepticism in mainstream scientific and psychological circles.

Frequency

Similar low-to-medium frequency in both, predominantly in specific niches like life coaching, management training, and certain therapeutic practices.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
practitioner of neurolinguistic programmingtechniques of neurolinguistic programmingapply neurolinguistic programmingmaster neurolinguistic programming
medium
study neurolinguistic programmingworkshop on neurolinguistic programmingbenefits of neurolinguistic programmingNLP training
weak
business neurolinguistic programminguseful neurolinguistic programmingmodern neurolinguistic programmingsimple neurolinguistic programming

Grammar

Valency Patterns

to use neurolinguistic programming (to + verb)to be trained in neurolinguistic programmingto apply neurolinguistic programming principles

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Neutral

NLPcognitive-behavioral techniquescommunication modelling

Weak

mind techniquescommunication strategiesbehavioral modelling

Vocabulary

Antonyms

evidence-based psychologymainstream psychotherapyconventional behavioral therapy

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used in management training for influencing skills, sales techniques, and leadership development.

Academic

Rarely used in mainstream academic psychology; more common in alternative therapy or coaching studies.

Everyday

Uncommon in general conversation; might be mentioned in contexts of self-help or personal development.

Technical

Used specifically within coaching, hypnotherapy, and certain therapeutic communities to describe a set of presuppositions and techniques.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

  • He neurolinguistically programmes his responses to stressful situations.
  • They are attempting to NLP their way to better sales.

American English

  • She neurolinguistically programs her mindset before presentations.
  • You can NLP yourself into being more confident.

adjective

British English

  • He took a neurolinguistic programming course last summer.
  • Their neurolinguistic programming approach is quite popular in certain coaching circles.

American English

  • She is a neurolinguistic programming practitioner.
  • The workshop offered neurolinguistic programming techniques for managers.

Examples

By CEFR Level

B1
  • Some people use neurolinguistic programming to feel more confident.
  • My coach knows about neurolinguistic programming.
B2
  • The seminar introduced basic neurolinguistic programming techniques for improving communication.
  • Although controversial, neurolinguistic programming has many adherents in the business world.
C1
  • Proponents claim that neurolinguistic programming can deconstruct the strategies of high performers and make them teachable.
  • The therapist integrated certain neurolinguistic programming presuppositions into her practice, despite its lack of empirical validation.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Neuro (brain) + Linguistic (language) + Programming (coding behavior). Think: Programming your brain's language to change outcomes.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE MIND IS SOFTWARE (that can be reprogrammed through language).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

  • Avoid direct translation of 'programming' as 'программирование' in the computing sense; here it implies 'reprogramming behavior'.
  • The term 'neuro-' should not be confused with strictly medical neurology.
  • In Russian, it is commonly known as 'НЛП' (эн-эл-пэ), a direct acronym borrowing.

Common Mistakes

  • Misspelling as 'neuro linguistic programming' (without the hyphen or as separate words).
  • Confusing it with legitimate neuroscience or linguistics.
  • Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'a neurolinguistic programming' is incorrect).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
Many life coaches study to help clients change unhelpful thought patterns.
Multiple Choice

What is the primary context for using 'neurolinguistic programming'?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Neurolinguistic programming is considered pseudoscientific by the mainstream psychological and scientific communities. It lacks robust empirical evidence and is not recognized as an evidence-based therapy.

It refers to the idea that human behavior and thought patterns are learned programs that can be identified and 'reprogrammed' using specific linguistic and cognitive techniques.

It was developed in the 1970s by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, who claimed to model the therapeutic techniques of successful therapists like Fritz Perls and Virginia Satir.

It is almost universally abbreviated as 'NLP'. Note that this abbreviation can also mean 'Natural Language Processing' in computer science, which is a completely different field.