What is RFT?
Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is an explicitly behavior analytic account of human language and cognition. It is an approach designed to be a pragmatically useful analysis of complex human behavior, and provides the empirical and conceptual tools to conduct an experimental analysis of virtually every substantive topic in this arena. Further, the contextual approach of RFT provides a functional account of the structure of verbal knowledge and cognition, creating an important link between the traditionally disparate perspectives of cognitive and behavioral psychology.
Relational Frame Theory, as a behavior analytic theory of language and cognition, adopts the view that the core defining element in verbal activities is arbitrarily applicable relational responding, and moreover that such responding is amenable to a learning or operant analysis.
RFT involves and addresses a number of theoretical concepts:
- Relating as an operant
- Non-arbitrary vs arbitrarily-applicable relational responding
- Defining properties of relational frames
- Patterns of relational framing
- Rule-governed behavior
- Selfing
- Metaphor and analogy
- Development of relational framing
- The HDML: a model of developmental complexity and dimensions of relational framing (coming soon)
- Glossary