1.5 Extending the Modern Scientific Model

As we pointed out earlier in this chapter, neurolinguistic programming constitutes the next natural extension in the evolutionary development of cultural models. By understanding that human beings do not operate directly on the world they are experiencing but through sensory transforms of that world, we also understand that "truth" is a metaphor rather than a yardstick calibrated to some absolute standard of external reality. Cultural models, including that of science, do not express "truth," but prescribe domains of experience within which behavior is organized into certain patterns. To the extent that the structural elements, syntax and limits of each model are arbitrarily selected and defined, we might suggest that models, in general, are metaphors for the convenient assumption that experience and reality are the same. Similarly, NLP is not the "truth" either, but another metaphor — a user oriented metaphor designed to generate behavioral options quickly and effectively.

NLP extends the limits of the modern scientific model by placing the locus of behavioral control in the individual. Einstein's relativity theory indicates that time, mass and spatial dimensions change relative to the observer's frame of reference at speeds approaching the speed of light. Although Einstein's theory represents an extension of the limits of preceding scientific models by its inclusion of the observer's perspective, behavioral control in his theory is a function of the relation between the velocity of the system and that of the speed of light, both of which are assumed to be external to the observer. NLP takes one further step and proposes to examine the correlations between what we experience as the external environment and our internal representations of that experience. To accomplish this, NLP draws from many recent advances in the neurosciences, psychophysiology, linguistics, cybernetics, communication theory and the information sciences.

To understand how our neurological processes are related to behavioral models, it is useful to represent mathematical equations from the scientific model as metaphors for those processes. Each mathematical equation defines a pattern in which a sequence of operations performed on specific variables results in a given outcome. For example, Newton's equation F = ma defines force as a function of (and equivalent to) the product of mass and acceleration. Each appropriate set of numerical values plugged into m and a, when multiplied together, expresses a specific outcome — force. The form of the equation remains the same, no matter what quantitative values are substituted for m and a, just as the form of a neurological pattern or sequence of operations remains the same, no matter what content is processed through it. It isn't important whether F = ma describes a real physical law; what's important about this formula is its demonstration of the human capacity to develop neural patterns that allow us to organize our representations of physical phenomena to obtain desired outcomes. Just as we have invented complex neural patterns that allow us to tie our shoelaces, play golf or read a book, we can develop neural patterns that fulfill other objectives.

All behavioral models — from complex governmental and business operations involving thousands of people to individual activities like eating an apple and jogging — exist and function through laws, rules and assumptions incorporated into individuals in the form of neural patterns. If the neural pattern is absent, the behavior is absent; if the behavior is ineffective or inappropriate, the neural pattern is not adequately organized to elicit an effective or appropriate behavior. The overt and implied laws, rules and assumptions of any model function as codes or metaphors for different patterns of neurological organization aimed at producing a particular set of behavioral outcomes.

Since NLP is concerned with form, not content, strategies for effective and appropriate behaviors may be drawn from any model and applied to any other model of our choice. For example, the creative strategy of an artist may be appropriately transferred to an uninspired aerodynamic engineer faced with a challenging design problem. Or, the operational motivation strategy of a highly efficient business organization may be adapted to a sluggish government department. Because NLP is ultimately concerned with representations of experience at the neurological level, it is unnecessary to refer to the names or contents of the models from which particular forms, structural interrelationships and outcomes have been derived, except for illustration purposes. It is not important to us whether an individual claims the source of an inspiration to be God, a delicious chocolate mousse or the beauty of a mountain lake — if the same neural strategy sequence in each case produces identical behavioral outcomes.

Just as behavioral strategies may be transferred from one person to another, the same person may apply a successful strategy from one aspect of his or her experience (skill at bridge playing, for example) to another aspect (difficulty in decision–making, for example). Typically, each person has a rich endowment of experiential assets to draw from and may choose to adapt strategies from strong areas of experience to weak or impoverished areas by using methods we will describe in forthcoming chapters.

Neurolinguistic programming is a model designed to increase the possible outcomes of behavior — that is, a model for transforming more environmental variables to the class of decision variables.

The process of modifying behavior, whether applied to an individual, group or organization in order to achieve new outcomes can be described in its most general form as a three–point process:

1. Representation of the present state

2. Representation of the outcome or target state

3. Representation of resources

Resources are accessed and applied to the problematic or present state of affairs to help the individual, group or organization move to the outcome or desired state:

The remainder of this book will essentially deal with the nature of each of these three steps. It will involve, more specifically, such issues as:

a) the nature of maladapted behavior—what constitutes a problematic response;

b) the nature of growth, choice and generative behavior;

c) how to identify, in sensory specific terms, a specific outcome, set or class of outcomes;

d) how to identify and represent, in the appropriate sensory modalities, the elements (resources, external and behavioral) involved in achieving that outcome;

e) the representation of the forms and rules of interaction between these elements that identify, generate and predict the desired outcomes; and

f) how to identify and represent the present state of progress or development so that it may be used to provide the individual, family or organization with feedback on where they are with respect to their outcomes.

Our claim is that if any individual or group displays any sequence of behavior which others find useful, we — employing the tools and principles of NLP — can chunk and punctuate that sequence into units that can be practiced and readily learned by any other member of the species.

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NLP is a new way of thinking — a new model — which involves the use of changing patterns dependent on contextual conditions and upon feedback within and between behaviors observable in your ongoing experience. While both formal and systematic, the NLP process is held rigorously accountable to the evidence of sensory experience—yours and that of others who use the process. As a model of the modeling process, it is constantly changing and growing on the basis of feedback from its own discoveries. (For a further elaboration of this discussion, see our forthcoming book Modeling.)