Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS)
Special Issue on Invited Commentaries on ACBS Taskforce Report
Volume 25, July 2022, Pages 130-135
Authors
Gordon J.G. Asmundson, Dalainey H. Drakes, Andres De Los Reyes
Abstract
Contextual behavioural science (CBS) methods are frequently applied in research to gain insight on the intricacies of human behaviour and have become integrated in psychological treatments, including acceptance and commitment therapy and applied behavioural analysis. The Association of Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) Task Force recently provided 33 recommendations to improve the quality and applicability of CBS research. The use of process-based approaches to CBS was encouraged as they place an emphasis on facilitating behaviour change to alter psychological events or behaviour. Recommendations were also made to incorporate multi-dimensional approaches in CBS research in order to consider human behaviour holistically and acknowledge that change may be motivated by evolutionary needs. The purpose of this commentary was to identify strengths, challenges, and potential opportunities associated with the process-based and multi-dimensional recommendations for CBS research. Despite some concerns about feasibility or clinical utility of process-based and multi-dimensional CBS research, there is potential for the recommendations to be achieved and to foster greater understanding of human behaviour as supported by other multidisciplinary areas of research in psychology. Process-based and multidimensional CBS is well positioned to support collaborative research opportunities that may close the gap between basic and applied knowledge and understanding of human behaviour and related applications to practice.