NLP is not unscientific
From the perspective of those who intend to formulate factual criticism of NLP, it is often heard that NLP is unscientific.
The accusation that NLP is unscientific usually comes from individuals who are academics themselves (and often also work in the fields of psychology, alternative medicine, or coaching). In fact, the criticism is directed at NLP by a group of people that extends beyond universities. While the predecessors and founders were mostly scientists, the concept of NLP was based on collecting the most efficient communication and treatment methods and making it accessible. This eclectic approach resulted in the inclusion of methods in the NLP corpus that do not belong to the corpus of psychologists and psychotherapists – meaning that certain methods of NLP are unscientific in the sense of 'not coming from science'.
In general, however, NLP is not the hocus-pocus that its opponents make it out to be. The foundation of NLP philosophy is constructivism, a recognized social science school of thought that assumes the subjectivity of every perception. Many methods from other humanistic therapy schools have also been adapted for use (e.g., family therapy, Gestalt therapy, etc.).
One reason for this reputation 'NLP = unscientific' ultimately lies in the handling of the subject of debate by certain user groups. Quite a few NLP providers primarily have their own profit in mind rather than the training, others dilute training standards or completely refuse to adhere to them. Additionally, bridges from the fringes to other, para-scientific or esoterically oriented fields are being built using NLP. Thus, one can certainly call these overlapping areas unscientific in relation to NLP.
On the other hand, there is also academic recognition; for example, there are dedicated NLP degree programs affiliated with psychology; in Austria, Neurolinguistic Psychotherapy (NLPt) is officially recognized as a psychotherapeutic method. In summary, one can state the following: NLP is not a science, but rather a subfield of psychology. Just as little as NLP represents its own science, one cannot say that NLP is unscientific.
NLP and Science – A Collection
On this page, we would like to present our collection of summarized studies. Some of the studies were conducted by trainers from our ranks, others are many years old. Many hundreds of working hours have already been invested in this project. Initially, we wanted to review all studies, but the time required for procurement was enormous. Therefore, we first began to collect and summarize some studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of NLP. In a second step, it is planned to take apart some of the studies that have been used as evidence against the effectiveness of NLP. Often, outrageous errors in research design were made, such as in the studies on eye access cues.
Recent findings in brain research increasingly confirm the effectiveness of NLP. Therefore, it actually surprises us that critics still brazenly dare to approach the press with ancient and poorly conducted studies. We would also like to call on serious researchers on this page to send us their results and not simply claim that there is a study somewhere that would refute NLP, but unfortunately, they cannot provide us with this study. This does not correspond to scientific procedure.
Addressing in the preferred sensory channel builds trustIn this article, you will find a simple study that has shown that addressing the preferred sensory channel of the counterpart leads to an increased Rapport and is experienced as pleasant.
Doctors with NLP Practitioner training engage better with their patients!Stephanie Bohn publishes a dissertation in which she examines 21 doctors who participated in an NLP Practitioner training, among other things, regarding empathy in doctor-patient conversations. In her qualitative-quantitative mixed methods approach, she concluded that the NLP training positively affects the doctor-patient relationship.
Visual-Kinesthetic Dissociation tested in studyAt the University of Alberta in Canada, a form of NLP treatment was tested in 1987. In a very small sample of two women who had been abused, it was tested to what extent trance, anchoring, and especially visual-kinesthetic dissociation (also known as the phobia technique) are effective. Both women showed a significant improvement that lasted for three weeks after treatment.
NLP therapy proves effective with long-term effectsNeurolinguistic Psychotherapy, or NLPt, is a recognized form of therapy in Austria. In this study from March 2010, the results of NLPt were compared with a control group that did not receive therapy.
Trance with NLP elements has a positive effect on cancerIn a total of 11 clinics, a study in the area of cancer support measures was conducted in 2002. It was tested to what extent trances via the medium of CD are helpful for female cancer patients.
Study: NLP Practitioners coach successfully!Jaap Hollander collected data from 25 subjects who had minor psychological or social problems, each 20 days before and after an NLP coaching session. 16 of the subjects (64%) felt significantly better after coaching by an NLP Practitioner who was still in training.
Practitioner training shows effectsAt the University of Tübingen, a survey of NLP practitioners was evaluated in 2007. It was recorded to what extent the Practitioner training shows sustainable effects or what has changed for the participants.
Study: NLP psychotherapy successful for allergies!In a study from 1998, significant improvements were achieved in pollen allergy patients using the 'Hildesheim Health Training', based on NLP psychotherapy, both in terms of symptoms and medication intake and allergic reactions.
Methodological errors in NLP studiesThe question of what methodological errors arise in NLP studies was posed by Eric Einspruch and Bruce Forman in 1985. In their meta-analysis of all NLP studies known until 1984 (a total of 39), they identified 6 categories of errors.
NLP in the treatment of claustrophobiaIn MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examinations, problems often arise with claustrophobic individuals, as one should ideally not move during the MRI. However, people who are afraid of closed spaces often move out of sheer stress or do not go for an examination at all. Aside from induced anesthesia, there is the possibility of an NLP treatment that was researched in more detail in England in 2010.
NLP research on the New Behavior GeneratorIn an experimental study, the effects of the NLP modeling strategy 'New Behavior Generator' on psychological well-being were investigated. 119 test subjects were randomly divided into two different control groups.
Project work by Alexander Gleisberg-Almstetter – 'Effects of NLP'A new study on the effects of NLP has been published. Alexander Gleisberg-Almstetter has created a project work titled 'Change in subjective experience after completing an NLP training' as part of his business and organizational psychology studies.
Study on effective strategies for achieving goalsCarlos Salgado has discovered, translated, and summarized an interesting study on effective strategies for achieving goals in this article. The study at the Dominican University of California in San Rafael/USA proves effective strategies for achieving goals.
Neurosciences and NLPIn our Train-the-Trainer seminar series, Landsiedel trainers have researched the depths of the brain over 2 days and had Franz Hütter explain the latest scientific findings on NLP.
Anyone who is now interested in forming their own opinion about NLP is warmly invited to one of our free evening seminars. At over 30 locations nationwide in Germany, we offer three-hour evening seminars that are intended to provide insight into NLP. We deliberately offer these evening seminars for free, so that everyone, regardless of financial burden, has the chance to form their own opinion about NLP. The various evening seminars, dates, and details can be found on our homepage: free NLP evening seminars, or secure our free evening seminar recording:
