For instance, many doubt the existence of repetitive cognitive associations in an NLP process like the Swish [...]]]> I pulled this from Wikipedia, since so many people claim that NLP has no scientific basis. Contrary to popular belief, NLP practitioners who are versed and up-to-date in research often have better knowledge about the processes that NLP develops.

For instance, many doubt the existence of repetitive cognitive associations in an NLP process like the Swish Pattern. However, based on concepts in neuroplasticity and Hebbian Theory:

The adult brain is not “hard-wired” with fixed and immutable neuronal circuits. There are many instances of cortical and subcortical rewiring of neuronal circuits in response to training as well as in response to injury. There is solid evidence that neurogenesis, the formation of new nerve cells, occurs in the adult, mammalian brain—and such changes can persist well into old age.^[3] The evidence for neurogenesis is mainly restricted to the hippocampus and olfactory bulb, but current research has revealed that other parts of the brain, including the cerebellum, may be involved as well^[5].

Using the theoretical basis that has already been researched, NLP tests to see how these processes work with humans.

In 1929, Hans Berger discovered that the mind exhibits continuous electrical activity and cast doubt on the Pavlovian model of perception and response because, now, there appeared to be something going on in the brain even without much stimulus.

At the same time, there were many mysteries. For example, if [...]]]> As extracted from Wikipedia
photo credit: neurollero:

In 1929, Hans Berger discovered that the mind exhibits continuous electrical activity and cast doubt on the Pavlovian model of perception and response because, now, there appeared to be something going on in the brain even without much stimulus.

At the same time, there were many mysteries. For example, if there was a method for the brain to recognize a circle, how does it recognize circles of various sizes or imperfect roundness? To accommodate every single possible circle that could exist, the brain would need a far greater capacity than it has.

Another theory, the Gestalt theory, stated that signals to the brain established a sort of field. The form of this field depended only on the pattern of the inputs, but it still could not explain how this field was understood by the mind.

The behaviorist theories at the time did well at explaining how the processing of patterns happened. However, they could not account for how these patterns made it into the mind.

Hebb combined up-to-date data about behavior and the mind into a single theory. And, while the understanding of the anatomy of the brain did not advance much since the development of the older theories on the operation of the brain, he was still able to piece together a theory that got a lot of the important functions of the brain right.

His theory became known as Hebbian theory and the models which follow this theory are said to exhibit Hebbian learning. This method of learning is best expressed by this quote from the book:

When an axon of cell A is near enough to excite cell B and repeatedly or persistently takes part in firing it, some growth process or metabolic change takes place in one or both cells such that A’s efficiency, as one of the cells firing B, is increased

This is often paraphrased as “Neurons that fire together wire together.” It is commonly referred to as Hebb’s Law.

The combination of neurons which could be grouped together as one processing unit, Hebb referred to as “cell-assemblies”. And their combination of connections made up the ever-changing algorithm which dictated the brain’s response to stimuli.

Not only did Hebb’s model for the working of the mind influence how psychologists understood the processing of stimuli within the mind but also it opened up the way for the creation of computational machines that mimicked the biological processes of a living nervous system. And while the dominant form of synaptic transmission in the nervous system was later found to be chemical, modern artificial neural networks are still based on the transmission of signals via electrical impulses that Hebbian theory was first designed around.

For example, if you want to make a million dollars, it will be evident that you are moving toward it when you see visual evidence of a credible source, such as a [...]]]> In many aspects of modeling, evidence is required to show competence. An evidence procedure will show ‘evidence’ that something has been transferred or achieved.

For example, if you want to make a million dollars, it will be evident that you are moving toward it when you see visual evidence of a credible source, such as a bank statement. This is a visual method of providing evidence.

Competence also requires evidence procedures. If you want to be recognized as a trainer for example, there are certain things that will convince people that you are a trainer. They will see, hear and feel it. Unfortunately it also means that if they don’t see it, even if you possess those qualities but don’t display it, you will not be deemed as competent. In order to be perceived as competent, you will need to figure it out by putting yourself into the appropriate positions to gauge if that evidence is sufficient. In other words, it may require a certain amount time (consistency) to assess an individual’s level of competence.

Examples:

“I remember you once said…”

“Is it true that you’ve wanted to…”

“Okay, just a minute ago [...]]]> The use of a backtrack frame enables an individual to recapuulate what was done or said previously. Most of the time, backtracking will allow a practitioner to re-establish what was important during a conversation and guide the experiencer in other directions.

Examples:

“I remember you once said…”

“Is it true that you’ve wanted to…”

“Okay, just a minute ago I heard you say…”

For example, traffic lights act as a visual anchor. The smell of your favorite food acts as an olfactory anchor.

For instance, Brightness is an analog submodality, but not association/disassociation.

Instead, some structures that can be used to generate the agreement frame are as follows:

- “Yes, I agree that…, and…” - “I could see it that way if I were you…, and…”

The agreement frame [...]]]> This process comes in framing agreement with a person, instead of immediately disregarding what that person says with a “no” or “you’re wrong”.

Instead, some structures that can be used to generate the agreement frame are as follows:

- “Yes, I agree that…, and…”
- “I could see it that way if I were you…, and…”

The agreement frame also allows one to be able to stop creating disagreements through blaming and arguing.