This page is here largely for historical purposes since the lab is no longer taking students because of Steve's age (76) and his retirement from UNR. Only one student is left working in it. By early 2025 it will be no more.
Some of the very early history of Steve's lab can be found in this JCBS article: Hayes, S. C. & King, G. (2024). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: What the history of ACT and the first 1,000 randomized controlled trials reveal. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 33, 100809. Doi: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2024.100809
Over its 48 years of existence Steve's lab was focused on creating a scientific paradigm that supports human transformation.
It sought the development of a coherent, pragmatically useful, innovative, empirical, behavioral approach to psychological science that will enable significant steps forward in our understanding of human beings, the creation of human progress, and in the alleviation of human suffering.
It consciously tried to give away its research program by supporting the development of successful research laboratories with these goals world wide.
The lab was at the forefront in the development of functional contextualism, Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Process-Based Therapy.
Doctoral graduates from Steve Hayes's lab who also agree to a "science oath" receive the "Behavioralis Junkus degree" and learn the secret behavioral handshake.
Below are links to a list of lab graduates, the science oath, and a comprehensive list of all dissertations to come out of the lab.