Neuro linguistic programming, also known as NLP is a set of beliefs, techniques and axioms that those who use NLP see as a positive approach to human development. Influenced by New Age beliefs and ideas of human potential, neuro linguistic programming was first developed in 1973 by a man named Richard Bandler, who was a student and John Grinder, a linguistics professor. They worked with a social scientist named Gregory Bateson to come up with the system. The system consists of a set of principles and models that explore how mind and neurology as well and language patters and perception interact, creating subjective reality resulting in human behavior.

In many ways the idea of neuro linguistic programming came from the Human Potential Movement, which developed in the 1960's with proponents such as Aldous Huxley. The Human Potential Movement promoted the idea of cultivating potential untapped in most people. The movement believed that human beings can experience exceptional qualities of life including creativity, fulfillment and happiness. It is also believed that those who unleash their potential will be drawn to helping others release theirs. The movement is also sometimes called the 3rd Force of Psychology, or Humanistic Psychology.

The creators of neuro linguistic programming observed the work of several well known and respected therapists working with transformation of beliefs and the treatment of trauma. The techniques they used were distilled and developed into neuro linguistic programming, a system that is controversial and is called a pseudo science by some in the scientific community. The philosophy of NLP is open ended, and even some of the practitioners and developers disagree on exactly what it is.

An offshoot of neuro linguistic programming, is known as Design Human Engineering which uses the models of neuro linguistic programming to formulate new performance levels. The first book to explain neuro linguistic programming was called The Structure of Magic Volume 1 published in 1975.

Design Human Engineering is an offshoot, or extension, from Neuro-linguistic programming. Design Human Engineering refers to using NLP models to formulate new levels of performance without directly modeling, but rather through applying contrasting models.

Neuro linguistic programming is one of many movements from the 1960's and 1970's that adherents claim will lead to a fuller life. Unfortunately in the case of NLP, the creators have been involved in quite troubled lives, including many lawsuits against each other.