scholarly journals The Moderating Impact of Distal Regularities on the Effect of Stimulus Pairings

2016 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Hughes ◽  
Jan De Houwer ◽  
Dermot Barnes-Holmes
Keyword(s):  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Frame Theory ◽  
Past Century ◽  
Relational Responding ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Simple Question ◽  
Arbitrarily Applicable Relational Responding ◽  
Current Article ◽  
Contextual Behavioral Science

Abstract. Throughout much of the past century psychologists have focused their attention on a seemingly simple question: How do people come to like or dislike stimuli in the environment? Evaluative Conditioning (EC) – a change in liking due to the pairing of stimuli – has been offered as one avenue through which novel preferences may be formed and existing ones altered. In the current article, we offer a new look at EC from the perspective of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS) and, more specifically, Relational Frame Theory (RFT). We briefly review the EC literature, introduce Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS), Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and then describe a behavioral phenomenon known as arbitrarily applicable relational responding (AARR). Afterwards, we examine the relationship between EC and AARR. This novel perspective offers ways to organize existing as well as predict new EC effects, contributes to debates on “genuine” EC, human versus nonhuman EC, and further facilitates the development and refinement of cognitive theories of EC.

scholarly journals Back to the future with an up-dated version of RFT: More field than frame?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dermot Barnes-Holmes ◽  
Yvonne Barnes-Holmes ◽  
Ciara McEnteggart ◽  
Colin Harte
Keyword(s):  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Frame Theory ◽  
Unit Of Analysis ◽  
Relational Responding ◽  
Transformation Of Functions ◽  
Behavioral Dynamics ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Arbitrarily Applicable Relational Responding ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Psychological Events

The current chapter presents an overview of a line of research that focuses on the behavioral dynamics of arbitrarily applicable relational responding (AARRing), and the implications of this research for the on-going development of relational frame theory (RFT) itself. Specifically, the integration of two recent conceptual developments within RFT are described. The first of these is the multi-dimensional, multi-level (MDML) framework and the second is the differential arbitrarily applicable relational responding effects (DAARRE) model. Integrating the MDML framework and the DAARRE model emphasizes the transformation of functions within the MDML, thus yielding a hyper-dimensional, multi-level (HDML) framework for analyzing the behavioral dynamics of AARRing. The HDML generates a new conceptual unit of analysis for RFT in which relating, orienting, and evoking (ROEing) are seen as involved in virtually all psychological events for verbally-able humans. Some of the implications of the ROE as a unit of analysis for RFT are explored, including the idea that it may be useful to conceptualize the dynamics of AARRing as involving a field of verbal interactants.

scholarly journals Relating is an Operant: A Fly Over of 35 Years of RFT Research

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven C. Hayes ◽  
Stu Law ◽  
Kian Assemi ◽  
Neal Falletta-Cowden ◽  
Melia Shamblin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Relational Learning ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Frame Theory ◽  
Paper Briefly ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Relational Responding ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Type Of Behavior

Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is the simplest form of operant theory since it claims nothing more than a particular type of behavior, arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding, is an operant. While the theory is simple, its implications are not, and adoption has been slow until recently. RFT was first formally described in 1985 and in the 35 years since, hundreds of studies have been conducted on relational learning from an operant point of view. The present paper briefly summarizes that history and examines some of its key claims. So far, the empirical program delineated by RFT has held up remarkably well. Future directions are delineated that will enable a more comprehensive evaluation of the importance of the RFT research program, and a more thorough exploration of its profound implications.

A Review of Relational Frame Theory Research Into Deictic Relational Responding

2016 ◽  
Vol 67 (4) ◽  
pp. 569-579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria M. Montoya-Rodríguez ◽  
Francisco J. Molina ◽  
Louise McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Frame Theory ◽  
Relational Responding ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Deictic Relational Responding ◽  
Theory Research

scholarly journals A Functional Contextualist Account of Behavioral Economics: Relational Frame Theory Applied to Decision-Making and Choice Behavior

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Tagliabue ◽  
Massimo Cesareo ◽  
Valeria Squatrito ◽  
Giovambattista Presti
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Behavioral Economics ◽  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Choice Behavior ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Frame Theory ◽  
Overt Behavior ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Decision Making Processes ◽  
Behavioral Perspective

  Behavioral economics is a discipline that is mainly rooted in cognitivism and that is concerned with the study of decision-making processes and choice behavior. These involve addressing the relations between cognition and overt behavior, which comprise one of the most challenging topics in the domain of behavioral sciences at large and have been approached by different epistemological viewpoints. Within the cognitivist tradition, private events have been often treated as causes of behaviors, adopting a mechanistic view. Conversely, a contextual functional behavioral perspective treats them with the same methodology that is adopted for overt behaviors. Relational frame theory, a post-Skinnerian theory of language and cognition, offers a behavioral perspective on cognition and overt behavior and how they influence human behavior, by keeping a high degree of coherence with basic principles and goals of behavior analysis (i.e., effective action). This conceptual paper represents an attempt to offer a perspective drawn from contextual behavioral science on some constructs described in behavioral economics. Furthermore, it provides a common ground for behavior analysts and researchers in other fields of psychology to further expand our knowledge and respective explanations of decision-making processes. Finally, it draws a line for connecting basic research to applied solutions.

scholarly journals Healthy selfing: Theoretically optimal environments for the development of tacting and deictic relational responding

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison Stapleton ◽  
Louise McHugh
Keyword(s):  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Sense Of Self ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Frame Theory ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Private Events ◽  
Relational Responding ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Current Evidence Base ◽  
Deictic Relational Responding

  From a relational frame theory perspective, our sense of self is a by-product of language that arises from transformation of stimulus functions through relational framing of our own responding. In this way, selfing is an important action that allows us to clarify our needs, wants, and what matters to us. Tacting and deictic relational responding are two processes that are instrumental to the development of a healthy selfing repertoire. This paper provides an overview of tacting and deictic relational responding in accordance with relational frame theory in addition to features of an optimal environment for shaping these processes. In terms of tacting, it is important to consider learning environment sensitivity, consequence availability, the individual’s experience, and to facilitate rich discussions of private events. In terms of deictic relational responding, it is important to provide frequent interactions that contain multiple exemplars of distinctions between self and others in addition to rich discussions of private events while also tailoring to the individual when drawing from training protocols. We conclude with a brief overview of the current evidence base regarding the identified features.

Values in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna LeJeune ◽  
Jason Luoma
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Relational Frame Theory ◽  
Behavioral Science ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
The Past ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Relational Frame ◽  
Contextual Behavioral Science

While the concept of values has been present in behavioral traditions dating back to Skinner, the analysis of the role of values in modern contextual behavioral science (CBS) in relation to motivation has greatly expanded over the past 30 years. In particular, values are important in a modern understanding of the role of human language in modifying how reinforcement occurs. In this article we outline values work as a foundational component of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and analyze values through a CBS and relational frame theory lens. Included are an extensive review of the empirical literature on the role of values in ACT and a discussion of values measures commonly used in CBS research and clinical practice. Finally, we offer recommendations for the next steps needed to expand our understanding of this essential process.

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