Based on the work in the area of hypnosis which the late Milton H. Erickson conducted, Richard Bandler and John Grinder formulated several Ericksonian principles into a coherent and learnable system which they termed Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). This paper presents a general overview of Neuro-Linguistic Programming theory, strategies, and techniques. The review also examines: (1) studies designed to test various key postulates of the developed model; and (2) general reviews of the effectiveness of NLP.
According to Gray (1991) Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can be defined as a technology for producing change in behavior based on the conscious manipulation of internal and external states and processes to elicit specific behavioral results. Gray states that one of the most useful tools presented by the NLP community is the technology of rapport which he refers to as a sense of trust and openness on the part of the client, based on the NLP practioner's ability to actively reflect the client's model of the world. In essence then, NLP is about learning to communicate effectively and consciously using a number of strategies for modeling and changing behavior.
Several studies have examined whether NLP does produce change in internal states as part of the process of producing behavioral change. One such study was conducted by Konefal, Duncan and Reese (1992) who examined within-person and between-group changes in trait anxiety and locus of control as measured on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale. Subjects in the study were 27 men and 30 women participating in a 21-day residential training program in Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
As predicted, the authors found significant within-person decreases in trait-anxiety scores and increases in internal locus of control scores. Results were said to confirm the effectiveness of Neuro-Linguistic Programming in lowerin...