Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Pronunciation
Here is the phonetic and linguistic breakdown for Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP).
Phonetic Spelling (IPA)
/ˌnjʊəroʊ lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk ˈproʊɡræmɪŋ/
Syllable Breakdown
Neuro- (/ˌnjʊər.oʊ/)
/n/: Alveolar nasal
/jʊər/: High-back rounded diphthong
/oʊ/: Mid-back rounded diphthong
Lin- (/lɪŋ/)
/l/: Alveolar lateral approximant
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/ŋ/: Velar nasal
guis- (/ˈɡwɪs/)
/ɡ/: Voiced velar plosive
/w/: Labio-velar approximant
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/s/: Voiceless alveolar fricative
tic (/tɪk/)
/t/: Voiceless alveolar plosive
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/k/: Voiceless velar plosive
Pro- (/ˈproʊ/)
/p/: Voiceless bilabial plosive
/r/: Alveolar approximant
/oʊ/: Mid-back rounded diphthong
gram- (/ɡræm/)
/ɡ/: Voiced velar plosive
/r/: Alveolar approximant
/æ/: Near-low front unrounded vowel
/m/: Bilabial nasal
ming (/ɪŋ/)
/ɪ/: Near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/ŋ/: Velar nasal
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Plural Noun: Neuro-Linguistic Programmings (Rarely used, typically refers to different schools or methodologies of the practice)
Adjective: Neuro-Linguistic (Often used to describe the techniques or patterns)
Agent Noun (Practitioner): Neuro-Linguistic Programmer
Verb (Gerund/Action): Neuro-Linguistic Programming (The act of applying the techniques)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A pseudoscientific approach to communication and personal development that claims a connection between neurological processes, language, and behavioral patterns learned through experience. It suggests these patterns can be altered to achieve specific goals in life.
Synonyms: Behavioral modeling, cognitive retraining, self-help methodology.
Antonyms: Inherent trait, instinctive behavior, determinism.
Adjective (Neuro-Linguistic)
Definition: Relating to the relationship between the human nervous system and the structure of language, specifically regarding how this interaction influences behavior.
Synonyms: Psycholinguistic, cognitive-behavioral, neurological.
Antonyms: Physical, non-verbal, physiological (in a non-cognitive sense).
Verb (To Neuro-Linguistically Program)
Definition: To apply specific psychological techniques or linguistic patterns to oneself or others with the intent of modifying subconscious reactions or habits.
Synonyms: To recondition, to habituate, to recalibrate (mentally).
Antonyms: To leave to chance, to neglect, to decondition.
Adverb (Neuro-Linguistically)
Definition: In a manner that utilizes the principles of NLP to analyze or influence communication and behavior.
Synonyms: Psychologically, cognitively, linguistically.
Antonyms: Randomly, naturally, physically.
Examples of Use
Here are several real-world examples of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) used across various mediums:
Literature and Non-Fiction
In the seminal work The Structure of Magic, the authors explore how practitioners can use Neuro-Linguistic Programming to identify the linguistic patterns that limit a client's "map of the world" and replace them with more flexible alternatives (Bandler & Grinder).
Tony Robbins often discusses his early career roots in Neuro-Linguistic Programming as a tool for creating rapid "state changes" and overcoming phobias in his book Awaken the Giant Within.
Newspapers and Journalism
An investigative piece in The Guardian noted that while Neuro-Linguistic Programming has gained a massive following in the corporate coaching world, many academics remain skeptical of its scientific foundation, labeling it a "discredited" psychological theory (The Guardian, May 2017).
Business columns in The Times have featured profiles on executive coaches who utilize Neuro-Linguistic Programming to help CEOs improve their public speaking and "mirror" the body language of negotiators to build rapport.
Online Publications and Blogs
In an article on Psychology Today, authors analyzed the "Eye Accessing Cues" associated with Neuro-Linguistic Programming, questioning whether looking up and to the left truly indicates that a person is constructing a lie.
A tech-focused blog post on Medium clarified the distinction between Neuro-Linguistic Programming (the psychological self-help tool) and Natural Language Processing (the AI subfield), noting that the shared acronym "NLP" often causes confusion for students entering data science.
Entertainment and Popular Culture
In the television series The Mentalist, the protagonist occasionally utilizes techniques derived from Neuro-Linguistic Programming, such as anchoring and subtle verbal suggestions, to manipulate suspects into revealing information.
Derren Brown, the British illusionist and mentalist, has referenced Neuro-Linguistic Programming in his stage shows and books, often using its principles to demonstrate how the human mind can be "primed" through specific word choices.
General Public Discourse
"I tried a bit of Neuro-Linguistic Programming before my interview today; I spent five minutes 'anchoring' a feeling of confidence so I wouldn't freeze up when they asked about my weaknesses."
"Many sales seminars today are essentially intensive workshops on Neuro-Linguistic Programming, teaching recruits how to use 'embedded commands' to influence a customer's buying decision without being pushy."
10 Quotes Using Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
"I take the very best of what people do, synthesize it down, make it learnable and share it with each other—and that is what the real future of what Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) will be." (Richard Bandler)
"The only justification for the application of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) patterns is the creation of choice and precisely in the context in which choice presently does not exist." (John Grinder)
"Even today the principle of positive intention seems to me to be the most spiritual principle in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)." (John Grinder)
"Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is an attitude and a methodology, not the trail of techniques it leaves behind." (Richard Bandler)
"By combining elements such as hypnosis, magic, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and psychology, I can make it appear that I can hack into people's brains." (Keith Barry)
"Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which Tony draws from, is also a powerful way of busting those self-limiting beliefs." (DrivenWoman Blog)
"The huge popularity of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) therapies and training has not been accompanied by knowledge of the empirical underpinnings of the concept." (Tomasz Witkowski)
"To me, the revolutionary spirit of early Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) came from a beautiful combination of learning without maps and learning via maps improved by meta-modeling principles." (John Grinder)
"Most of all, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) believes in a growth mindset—that we can change our lives." (Tony Robbins)
"Studying Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is what teaches you how to implant and extract thoughts." (Keith Barry)
Etymology
To understand the etymology of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), it helps to look at the three distinct Greek and Latin roots that the creators, Richard Bandler and John Grinder, stitched together in the early 1970s.
The Roots of the Word
Neuro-: Derived from the Greek neuron (nerve). This refers to the nervous system and the "hardware" of the human brain—the idea that our experiences are processed through our five senses and filtered through our neurology.
Linguistic: From the Latin lingua (tongue/language). This focuses on how we use language to order our thoughts and communicate our internal experiences to ourselves and others.
Programming: Borrowed from early computer science and cybernetics. This implies that the mind functions like an operating system; if you have a "software" glitch (like a phobia or a bad habit), you can "reprogram" the sequence of thoughts and actions to get a different result.
First Known Use and Meaning
The term was coined around 1975 in Santa Cruz, California. Bandler and Grinder were looking for a title that sounded professional and clinical to describe their research into why certain legendary therapists (like Virginia Satir and Milton Erickson) got such incredible results while others didn't.
They wanted a name that reflected their belief that if you could map the neurological and linguistic patterns of a "genius," you could program those same patterns into someone else. Essentially, they viewed the term as a bridge between the biological brain and the way we use words to shape our reality.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP)
Here is a list of phrases and idioms involving Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and its core concepts.
"Master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming": A common professional designation for an advanced practitioner.
"Neuro-Linguistic Programming toolkit": A phrase used to describe the collection of mental strategies a person uses for self-improvement.
"Run your own brain": A popular NLP-associated idiom meaning to take conscious control of one's thoughts and reactions.
"The map is not the territory": A central NLP idiom (originally from Alfred Korzybski) meaning that our individual perception of reality is not reality itself.
"Anchoring a state": A phrase referring to the technique of associating a physical touch or word with a specific emotional feeling.
"Reframing the situation": An idiom used to describe changing the conceptual or emotional viewpoint of an event to change its meaning.
"Mirroring and matching": A phrase describing the act of subtly imitating another person’s body language to build rapport.
"Breaking the pattern": A phrase used when someone intentionally interrupts a habitual thought or behavior to stop a negative cycle.
"Installing a new belief": A metaphorical phrase used to describe the process of adopting a more empowering mindset.
"Incongruent signaling": A phrase used when someone's verbal language does not match their non-verbal body language.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
