IRAP Workshop -- Vahey, Stewart, McHugh, Kosnes, & Barnes-Holmes

Workshop Title: The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP): Where From, How To, and Where To Workshop Abstract: A key objective of the workshop will be to summarise the key empirical literatures that gave rise to the IRAP, and to then collate the rapidly expanding IRAP literature itself. The authors will draw on this empirical base to outline key principles of how best to design and implement IRAPs so as to both maximise precision and minimise attrition. These principles will be illustrated in practice for workshop participants by the workshop facilitators. The IRAP is a computerised response-time measure derived from an integration of the account of human language and cognition provided by Relational Frame Theory (RFT), and the substantial cognitive literature addressing so-called “implicit” attitudes. In broad terms the model underlying the IRAP conceptualises implicit effects as being driven by immediate and relatively brief relational responses; in contrast, explicit (self-report) measures then are thought to reflect more elaborated and coherent relational response networks for which implicit attitudes are precursors. More simply, the IRAP captures spontaneous and automatic evaluative responses, whereas self-report measures capture more carefully considered deliberative reactions. Whereas explicit measures are frequently criticised as suffering from the limitations of introspection, and as largely reflecting a person’s tendency to respond in a socially desirable manner, implicit measures are relatively impervious to such confounding biases. Indeed, to date numerous studies have shown that the IRAP supplements traditional explicit measures, to provide greater prediction of target behaviours and a more precise understanding of the processes of attitude and behaviour change (see http://psychology.nuim.ie/IRAP/IRAP_Articles.shtml). Implicit attitudes appear to be particularly useful in the analysis of relatively established behaviours that do not often come under deliberative control such as those underlying addictive compulsions or prejudice. The workshop facilitators will provide workshop participants advice on how best to harness these strengths for the purposes of their individual research interests.