Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) was developed based on the study of whose work?

Neuro-linguistic Programming (NLP) was developed based on the study of the therapeutic techniques and linguistic patterns of Milton Erickson. Erickson, a psychiatrist and hypnotherapist, is renowned for his innovative approaches to psychotherapy, particularly his use of language and indirect suggestions to facilitate change in clients. The founders of NLP, Richard Bandler and John Grinder, modeled the communication and therapeutic strategies of Erickson, with the intent to create a system that could help individuals achieve effective outcomes in communication and personal development.

Erickson's work emphasizes the importance of language in shaping thoughts and behaviors, which is a foundational concept in NLP. As such, his influence is central to the principles and practices that characterize this approach to communication and behavior change. In contrast, Freud, Rogers, and Adler provided significant contributions to psychological theories, but their frameworks are distinct and not specifically foundational to NLP. Freud focused on psychoanalysis, Rogers was pivotal in developing client-centered therapy, and Adler contributed to individual psychology, none of which directly shaped the development of NLP as it relates to therapeutic communication and language use.