Can Neuro-Linguistic Programming Transform the Intellectual Potential of Primary School Children?

Abstract

Introduction: Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a method that has stirred controversy, with its objective being the alteration of individuals' responses to stimuli, thereby influencing both their environment and personal behaviors. Deployed in various fields, such as education, NLP endeavors to support students in honing their skills and tackling academic, social, and behavioral challenges. Objective: This research aims to investigate how Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) influences the intellectual capacity and abstract reasoning skills of primary school children aged 6 to 11. Methods: A before-and-after intervention study was conducted over four months from April to July 2023. The study involved primary school children from a private urban school in Lebanon. The Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices test was individually administered to assess the students' intellectual abilities before and after the NLP intervention. The intervention consisted of four sessions for teachers and one session for students. Results: The study, which included 121 students (60.0% females, 40.0% males), revealed significant improvements in performance, particularly among older students aged 8 to 11. Substantial increases in mean scores were observed, such as 8-year-olds improving from 8.95 to 9.36 and 11-year-olds experiencing a remarkable boost from 6.86 to 12.69. Connectivity analysis indicated positive relationships between students' age and performance, with correlation coefficients of 0.328 before and 0.633 after the intervention. Similarly, there were strong correlations between grade level and performance, with coefficients of 0.385 before and 0.716 after the intervention, both statistically significant (p<0.001). Comparisons of intellectual abilities among students highlighted more significant improvements among older age groups, emphasizing the potential benefits of NLP, particularly for students between 9 and 11 years old. Conclusion: Despite weaker correlations with parental factors, the study underscores the promising impact of NLP interventions on cognitive development, particularly among older students.