Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) are part of the new wave of treatments and analyses that seem to be emerging in cognitive behavior therapy. In this article, data in support of these new approaches are provided, and evidence that ACT works through different processes than traditional CBT are presented. The integrative proposals of Ciarrochi and Robb, and Ciarrochi, Robb, and Godsell are then considered. In the long run, whether such integrations are useful is an empirical matter, but concerns are raised about the effects of focusing on the content of beliefs, and the role of logical–empirical challenges to belief.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Relational Frame Theory (RFT) are part of the new wave of treatments and analyses that seem to be emerging in cognitive behavior therapy. In this article, data in support of these new approaches are provided, and evidence that ACT works through different processes than traditional CBT are presented. The integrative proposals of Ciarrochi and Robb, and Ciarrochi, Robb, and Godsell are then considered. In the long run, whether such integrations are useful is an empirical matter, but concerns are raised about the effects of focusing on the content of beliefs, and the role of logical–empirical challenges to belief.

The present paper describes two studies that attempted to form equivalence classes between terrorist and American images using a matching-to-sample preparation. Experiment 1 first exposed American participants to training conditions in which they were reinforced for matching terrorist to American stimuli and American to terrorist stimuli. Participants were then tested for derived relations between these same American and terrorist stimuli. Additional training was also conducted whereby American and terrorist images were matched with stimuli depicting the words “Peace”, “Unity”, and “Resolve.” Experiment 2 replicated the first experiment and also included additional training and testing conditions to examine any relative effects on participants’ ability to form equivalence classes. Results of the two studies suggest that most participants failed to form equivalence classes between the two types of images, yet the degree to which they did increased following the training that paired the terrorist and American images to the words “Peace”, “Unity”, and “Resolve.” Implications of these data from a Relational Frame Theory perspective are presented.

The present paper describes two studies that attempted to form equivalence classes between terrorist and American images using a matching-to-sample preparation. Experiment 1 first exposed American participants to training conditions in which they were reinforced for matching terrorist to American stimuli and American to terrorist stimuli. Participants were then tested for derived relations between these same American and terrorist stimuli. Additional training was also conducted whereby American and terrorist images were matched with stimuli depicting the words “Peace”, “Unity”, and “Resolve.” Experiment 2 replicated the first experiment and also included additional training and testing conditions to examine any relative effects on participants’ ability to form equivalence classes. Results of the two studies suggest that most participants failed to form equivalence classes between the two types of images, yet the degree to which they did increased following the training that paired the terrorist and American images to the words “Peace”, “Unity”, and “Resolve.” Implications of these data from a Relational Frame Theory perspective are presented.

The importance of linking applied psychotherapeutic techniques and strategies to basic experimental science is discussed, both as an independent ideal and in light of non-specific factors research suggesting that atheoretical global factors are responsible for the vast majority of clinical change. As an example of how such basic-applied linkage can occur, principles from Relational Frame Theory and other relevant experimental data are used to analyze and explain the potential utility of two specific strategies often employed in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to remediate ‘awfulizing’ and low frustration tolerance, respectively. The preliminary nature of this analysis is highlighted to allow a realistic view of the tremendous task at hand for clinical psychologists seeking a stronger basic science foundation for applied technologies.

The importance of linking applied psychotherapeutic techniques and strategies to basic experimental science is discussed, both as an independent ideal and in light of non-specific factors research suggesting that atheoretical global factors are responsible for the vast majority of clinical change. As an example of how such basic-applied linkage can occur, principles from Relational Frame Theory and other relevant experimental data are used to analyze and explain the potential utility of two specific strategies often employed in Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy to remediate ‘awfulizing’ and low frustration tolerance, respectively. The preliminary nature of this analysis is highlighted to allow a realistic view of the tremendous task at hand for clinical psychologists seeking a stronger basic science foundation for applied technologies.

The promise of a synthesized basic and applied psychology has been most strongly realized and appreciated in behavior analysis. The traditional model for this relationship has been largely unidirectional in that the experimental analysis of behavior has fed applied behavior analysis with its principles. Despite the relative strength of this relationship, which should lead to a more coherent and broadly effective discipline, behavior analysis seems to be narrowing its domain of influence both on the basic and applied fronts. We argue that this paradox can be explained by the inability to develop a broadly useful behavior analytic theory of language and cognition. Relational Frame Theory corrects that deficit, but it leads to a fundamental shift in the organization of the discipline, and the relationship between basic and applied behavior analysis. The current paper details what we view are the components of this new relationship and the reasons why this shift must occur.

The promise of a synthesized basic and applied psychology has been most strongly realized and appreciated in behavior analysis. The traditional model for this relationship has been largely unidirectional in that the experimental analysis of behavior has fed applied behavior analysis with its principles. Despite the relative strength of this relationship, which should lead to a more coherent and broadly effective discipline, behavior analysis seems to be narrowing its domain of influence both on the basic and applied fronts. We argue that this paradox can be explained by the inability to develop a broadly useful behavior analytic theory of language and cognition. Relational Frame Theory corrects that deficit, but it leads to a fundamental shift in the organization of the discipline, and the relationship between basic and applied behavior analysis. The current paper details what we view are the components of this new relationship and the reasons why this shift must occur.

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An innovative and effective approach to organizational behavioral management Despite more than 40 years of empirical and conceptual research, the contribution of behavior analysis to the world of business remains relatively small and organizational behavior management gets little attention in both the academic and professional communities. Acceptance and Mindfulness at Work presents behavioral analysis of human language that’s ready to use, with applied extensions proven to have a significant impact in organizational settings. The leading experts in the field examine how these ongoing developments can help broaden the exploration of the psychological issues relevant to organizational behavioral management (OBM) in the workplace.

Acceptance and Mindfulness at Work presents conceptual and empirical articles, and reviews of working examples of Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) applied to organizational behavior management. The book examines goal setting, feedback, task descriptions, and workers’ ability to learn as examples of how to affect positive change in organizations through increased productivity and improved quality of life in the workplace. The possibilities presented by RTF can lead to advancements in employee safety and training, stress and health management, employee evaluation, managing absenteeism, tardiness, and turnover, and self-management.

Acceptance and Mindfulness at Work examines:

• cognition in OBM
• industrial/organization (I/O) psychology
• how interventions using ACT have increased psychological flexibility
• rule-following feedback -task performance feedback
• programmed schedules of reinforcement
• goal setting, goal statements, and goal-directed behavior
• how psychological flexibility and job control can predict learning, job performance, and mental health
• and much more

Acceptance and Mindfulness at Work is a vital professional resource for organization development practitioners and human resource managers.