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by saasthrowaway3 3334 days ago
Neuro-Linguistic Programming is often labelled as pseudoscience, but I think this gives implicit credence to some of their methods (like Timeline Therapy, which is all about manipulating your own mental representation of time in order to eg get over phobias or achieve goals better).
1 comments

>Neuro-Linguistic Programming is often labelled as pseudoscience

There's a definite link between language and cognition: e.g. semantic priming effects. Clearly if we're able to be convinced by verbal argumentation, it follows that language can (in some sense) shape cognition.

Where NLP becomes a pseudoscience is when it's presented as therapeutic, or at least as systematically therapeutic. In other words, the first principles of NLP are (generally) sound. The application is not.

Where NLP becomes a pseudoscience is when it's presented as therapeutic, or at least as systematically therapeutic. In other words, the first principles of NLP are (generally) sound. The application is not.

I looked into scientific backing just now - seems its therapeutic effect is mostly not backed by science. Ie it doesn't cure phobias, as it says it does. Then again, I would have to look at those 18% of studies that DO show an effect, and see if they are doing something different than the ones that don't show an effect (NLP can mean a lot of things).

https://www.degruyter.com/view/j/ppb.2010.41.issue-2/v10059-...

Yes ... that was exactly my point. Sorry, I'm a bit confused by your comment. Are you agreeing or refuting?