Question:

Is it NLP when changes their looks, behavior and mannerisms to match a famous figure in order to influence?


Background:

I know someone who has changed his physical appearance to closely match a famous personality. I think he is doing this so that people feel good dealing with him since he looks like the "famous nice guy."

In addition to appearance, he paces his speech and gestures in a way that it is a very good impersonation of the famous person.

Is this a use of NLP? If not, what is it?

Thanks,

Bucky

Bucky wrote:

Question:

Is it NLP when changes their looks, behavior and mannerisms to match a famous figure in order to influence?

What you describe isn't exactly textbook NLP, and you didn't give a lot of data on exactly how these speech patterns and mannerisms go, but what you describe would definitely qualify as use of pre-existing visual and audible anchors, which is only one aspect of communication described by the NLP model.

But people use single parts of the NLP model all the time, without knowledge, so it doesn't mean they are "using NLP", in the sense that I think you intend.

I would say that it is a clever use of pre-existing anchors, although if it is that consciously obvious what this person is doing, it may not have the intended effect. If people recognize the impersonation, they may realize it is an attempt to influence them, and go defensive.

So, its not exactly a simple question, and there is a lot of data missing, but overall, I would say no.

Bucky, this does not sound like a good example of NLP. There are several techniques like strategy elicitation where an NLP practitioner will derive some strategies from examining how a successful person does what he or she does. For instance, there is a book that models the strategies for an artist like Leonardo Davinci. Those strategies should allow me to capture some of the creativity of that artist by installing those strategies in myself. However, seldom is it about literally mimicking someone in appearance. I do not have to look like Davinci to be creative like him.

Similary, even if an NLP person wanted to copy someone's "niceness" or "influence" patterns, they would not need to copy that person's appearance, mannerisms, or pacing in any literal way. Typically, the pattern that is elicited has enough flexibility where it can be applied without any literal copying of an individual's mannerisms. So, I would say that this is not an example of how NLP is normally applied.

It is possible that the person read a book on NLP and is crudely applying some of its methodology. I would also have to say that the person probably read it very badly because I don't think any knowledgeable NLP person would suggest as a strategy to literally imitate someone. It is doubtful that the literal appearance of the person has any genuine connection to his success as an influential or kind person.

As for what this might be, someone can copy another person's behavior without a theory or system to explain it. In addition, I think that some individuals who become obsessed by a celebrity will try to make themselves look or sound like that person. It is more about an obsession and less a technique of some type. I think that we will need more information to figure that out.

Dasein

Bucky wrote:

Question:

Is it NLP when changes their looks, behavior and mannerisms to match a famous figure in order to influence?


Background:

I know someone who has changed his physical appearance to closely match a famous personality. I think he is doing this so that people feel good dealing with him since he looks like the "famous nice guy."

In addition to appearance, he paces his speech and gestures in a way that it is a very good impersonation of the famous person.

Is this a use of NLP? If not, what is it?

Thanks,

Bucky