The Abuse of NLP
Another accusation from NLP opponents is that it is abused by shady characters who have nothing better to do than use the psychological tricks they learned to sell unsuspecting buyers real estate in the Bermuda Triangle or trips to the moon. Or that malicious demagogues incite their followers to political violence with rhetorical tricks. Or that self-proclaimed gurus degrade their followers to zombies through the abuse of NLP. (NLP.) The universal argument against the abuse of NLP to discredit it is fundamentally questionable: by the same logic, one could also reject knives, fire, or cars because they are also capable of harming others – regardless of the fact that the actual intended use is quite different. This type of criticism, however, tends to reduce the abuse of NLP solely to a tool used to manipulate others against their will and harm them. Accordingly, NLP practitioners are either seen as shady characters with questionable ethical standards or as dilettantes who have fallen for these.
Like so many accusations, the fixation on the abuse of NLP is also a distortion of facts: part of it is true, but most of it is clearly exaggerated. For example, it is true that the abuse of NLP can lead (see NLP and manipulation) to moving people to do things they normally would not do: making hasty purchasing decisions or taking dubious arguments at face value are examples of this. And for this reason, it is, among other things, also used by those who actually engage in the abuse of NLP for their own benefit, without regard for others.
However, the existence of these excesses does not mean that the abuse of NLP is characteristic of NLP as a whole. A large part primarily deals with how to make communication successful, with strangers, friends, family, how to avoid arguments, make decisions, find common ground. Another aspect of NLP is to help people help themselves: to overcome their fears, leave negative memories behind, open themselves to new experiences. Opportunities for the abuse of NLP are undoubtedly present, but the chances that NLP offers are far greater and more comprehensive.
More on the topic:
Accusations of the abuse of NLP often arise. What is on the other side of the coin and how do we deal with it?
Is NLP unscientific?
