What is Neurolinguistic Programming, (NLP)? The development of a grounded theory of NLP within an Action Research Journey. Bruce Grimley December 17th, 2015 In partial fulfilment of requirements for The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology University of Central Nicaragua 1 The Evaluator Committee of the UCN for Dissertation by Bruce Grimley Karl Nielsen, PhD Head of the International School of Psychology @ UCN Professor in Psychology and Clinical Psychology Universidad Central de Nicaragua Universidad Central de Nicaragua Nandana Nielsen, PhD Professor in Psychology and Clinical Psychology Universidad Central de Nicaragua "I hereby declare on oath that I have written the submitted dissertation what is Neurolinguistic Programming, (NLP)? The development of a grounded theory of NLP within an Action Research Journey independently and without unauthorized assistance. I have not used other than the named tools and scripts. All used parts of other authors either literally or correspondingly are cited." 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract 7 Chapter 1. Introduction 8 An introduction to NLP 9 My Journey 11 Recent Development 14 NLP in the Workplace 16 Modern efforts to bring credibility to NLP 20 Summary of Chapter 1 22 Chapter 2. Literature search 24 Some current definitions of NLP 24 Lessons learned 27 Einspruch and Forman in more detail 36 NLP: Positivist or Anti-Positivist epistemology? 43 Rosenthal experimenter effect 44 NLP modelling 52 NLP modelling versus Analytical modelling 54 Unconscious assimilation in NLP modelling 57 NLP Ontology and Epistemology 60 NLP Presuppositions 61 Mind body as a system 62 NLP model of communication 64 Ghost in the machine 68 EMDR an NLP exemplar 73 NLP as Pseudo-Science 76 The Bandler effect 80 Summary of Chapter 2 86 Chapter 3. Methodology 87 Introduction 87 Sampling 89 Methodology and personal bias 92 Methodology and Validity 95 3 Action Research 98 Action Research continued 101 Action Research Diary 103 Action Research Outcomes 104 Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, (IPA). Introduction 115 IPA sampling 116 The interview process 120 Grounded theory. Introduction 124 Key Features of Grounded Theory 126 Chapter 4. Findings 133 Introduction 133 Anonymity of NLP practitioners 133 The key research question driving data collection to inform theory 134 Extant NLP literature 135 A non NLP perspective 136 Coding 136 Coding Diary 140 Coding and software used. Nvivo and The Brain 143 Coding specifically speaking. 1. Commercially motivated 152 Discussion Category 1, commercially motivated 155 Category 2. Saturated in anecdotal evidence 156 Discussion category 2, Saturated in anecdotal evidence 159 Category 3. Lacking in published empirical evidence 161 Discussion category 3, lacking in published empirical evidence 167 Category 4. Historical and current disagreement 175 Discussion category 4. Historical and current disagreement 176 Category 5. Wanting to be accepted, but disappointed…. 179 Discussion category 5. Wanting to be accepted, but disappointed…. 182 Category 6. Development of break out groups 186 Discussion category 6. Development of break out groups 188 Category 7. Lack of standardized definition…. 190 Discussion category 7. Lack of standardized definition…. 193 4 Category 8. All practice generally associated with worst practice 197 Discussion Category 8. All practice generally associated with worst practice 199 What is a theory? 201 What is not a theory? 204 The utility of a theory of NLP 205 Grounded theory of NLP 206 Chapter 5. Concluding notes 217 Limitations of this research, A) Subjectivity 217 B) Disappointing feedback numbers 219 C) Self-Development 227 Conclusions 228 Ontology, epistemology and methodology 229 Action research, revisited 242 Predictions of this theory and road map for NLP 249 References 252 Appendix A. Standard pro forma read to NLP Participants before interviewing 266 Appendix B. Initial set of questions for NLP experts 267 Appendix C. A consumer guide through the multiplicity of NLP certification training, 269 a European perspective by Peter Schütz, (with permission, Sun 28/12/2014 13.36). 273 Appendix D. Email letter sent to NLP Interviewees on 24th August 2014 276 Appendix E. Formal email to participants Appendix F. Venn diagram version of NLP theory making more explicit areas of 277 contribution. Appendix G. Explanation to Participants in email of how grounded theory emerged 278 from their data. 5 Table of Figures Figure 1. The NLP communication model (Bodenhamer and Hall 1999 p65) 28 Figure 2. EAC (Eye Accessing Cues) 42 Figure 3. The Ultimate Frame (Grimley 2013) 47 Figure 4. Modelling methodology criteria (in Burgess 2014 p106) 54 Figure 5. Action Research from McNiff and Whitehead (2006) 108 Figure 6. Motivational Factors after Argyris (1957) 113 Figure 7. The research circle. Smith (2010) 120 Figure 8. Text search print out for “definition” Nvivo 146 Figure 9. Word frequency count Nvivo 147 Figure 10. Screen shot of “The Brain” used to do initial open coding alongside Nvivo 149 Figure 11. The practice that matters in Action Research 161 Figure 12. Number of all publications included in NLP Research Data Base in 172 individual years as against the number of studies of Master Journal List. (Witkowski) Figure 13. Portions of a public critique of NLP Leadership Summit 2014 189 Figure 14. Grounded Theory of NLP 211 Figure 15. Colour Coded model showing how an exemplar portion of transcript is 212 coded into one of the 17 NLP concepts Figure 16. Colour Coded model showing how an exemplar portion of transcript is 213 coded into each of the LinkedIn concepts Figure 17. Colour Coded model showing how NLP concepts are merged with LinkedIn 214 concepts after triangulation with extant literature to provide 8 interacting categories of Grounded Theory of NLP Figure 18. An Epistemological framework (Becker et al. 2005) 230 Figure 19. Cambridgeshire Athletic Association Championships, half marathon 2014 245 Figure 20. 2 sets of pre and post test scores on Quality of Life inventory for 2 NLP 246 participants 6 Table of Tables Table 1. Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology of Action research. McNiff and 102 Whitehead (2006 pp22-29) Table 2. Different types of Questions. (McNiff and Whitehead 2006 p8) 103 Table 3. A section of coding leading to the development of the category: 154 Commercially motivated, with no coherent epistemology, ontology or methodology. Table 4. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: 157 Saturated in Anecdotal Evidence Table 5. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: Lacking 164 in published empirical evidence Table 6. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: 175 Historical and current disagreement Table 7. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: Wanting 180 to be accepted but disappointed Table 8. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: 186 Development of breakout groups Table 9. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: Lack of 191 standardized Definition, curriculum and professional practice code. Critical of the discipline of Psychology Table 10. A section of open coding leading to the development of the category: All 198 practice generally being associated with worst practice 7 Abstract This thesis explores the question “what is NLP?” using a grounded theory approach. The intention in developing a theory of NLP for the author was to improve his practice as a psychologist who makes use of NLP patterns in his work. NLP has many definitions of what it is and it is this multiplicity which makes research into its efficacy difficult. Building on the recommendations of Einspruch and Forman (1985) this research seeks to understand what NLP is from the NLP practitioner’s perspective, and 15 experienced NLP practitioners from around the world were interviewed using Skype and the transcripts were used to generate this theory of NLP. In order to develop a theory based upon multiple perspectives, not only were 15 experienced NLP practitioners interviewed, but a 44,000 word LinkedIn discussion on the authenticity of NLP between 19 experienced professionals with a back ground in psychology was also used as data, with permission, to assist generate this theory. In order to get to the heart of the matter in the semi structured interviews, principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis were made use of, so meanings were unlayered and deeper understandings were explicated with new themes emerging. The limitations of this study are discussed and the responses of some of the participants to the unfolding theory are explored and discussed also. As a result of this recycling of information it is shown how the theory was both developed and consolidated. The resulting theory emerged as a model with 8 interacting dimensions and is believed to explain the practice of NLP over 40 years. As this model is perceived as both dynamic and stable it is also believed it can act in such a way that it will predict the future orientation of NLP. This theory is housed within a set of pre-suppositions which are characterised by the acronym P.E.A.S. A precis of the 8 interacting dimensions acting as a verbal definition of NLP is: “NLP is a human development activity which is primarily commercial, controversial, and unproven. It borrows from psychology and other disciplines in an eclectic way to provide perceived gains in a short period.” As a piece of Action Research the author discusses how this research has improved his practice and developed him as a psychologist who makes use of NLP patterns in his professional work and personal life. 8 Chapter 1 Introduction NLP is a popular practice started by John Grinder, Richard Bandler and Frank Pucelik in the early 1970’s. As a result of imitating well known therapists these people claimed to develop patterns of thought and behaviour that exceeded the effectiveness of the exemplars which they imitated.