Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science (JCBS)
Volume 26, October 2022, Pages 154-163
Authors
A. Stapleton, E. Cotter, L. McHugh
Abstract
Researchers have used the implicit relational assessment procedure (IRAP) to explore adults' deictic relational responding, with recent evidence suggesting natural language IRAPs (NL-IRAPs) capture some perspective-taking. The present study sought to extend literature on perspective-taking NL-IRAPs by presenting NL-IRAPs to a sample of adolescents (n = 110) aged 14–17 years (M = 15.64, SD = 0.52). All participants completed a Self-Focused NL-IRAP and were randomly assigned to complete either a Specified Other-Focused NL-IRAP or Unspecified Other-Focused NL-IRAP. No statistically significant differences were observed in IRAP performance when responding from one's own perspective versus a specified other's perspective. A statistically significant interaction effect was observed between perspective (self-other) and trial type when an unspecified other was used. No statistically significant relationships were observed between self-reported perspective-taking tendencies and IRAP performance. Findings are discussed with reference to (i) the importance of tailoring stimuli to the individual and (ii) the challenge of maintaining deictic functions of self-other while evoking perspective-taking, not ‘sense-making’.