A translational approach to the functional analysis of language in psychotherapy

Abstract

The functional analysis of verbal behavior has been successful in establishing basic and advanced forms of language in individuals with developmental disabilities. The development of behavioral approaches to psychotherapy, such as the functional-analytic psychotherapy, have advanced the implementation of operant analyses of verbal behavior among typical adults. The field of behavior-analytic approaches to psychotherapy departs from the applied experimental research in behavior analysis in various ways: (a) minimal use of molecular analyses of behavioral processes using single-subject experimentation, (b) confined use of functional analysis and function-driven intervention, and (c) metaphoric use of mainstream behavioral concepts and methods. The breakthroughs brought about by behavioral approaches to psychotherapy may be supplemented by way of translating some of the findings of the applied experimental literature. The present analysis illustrates how behavioral processes demonstrated in the context of experimental research, often with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities, may be relevant to psychotherapy with typically-developed adults. This translational approach is discussed with reference to basic language processes: echoics, mands, tacts, and intraverbal dynamics. This approach could prompt programmatic translational research in the field of behavioral psychotherapies.

Functional Coding System for Verbal Interaction in Clinical Contexts

“…Psychological interventions with verbally competent adults are primarily established through a conversation between therapist and client (Kohlenberg & Tsai, 1991;Virués-Ortega & Froxán-Parga, 2015). From a functional analytical perspective, this verbal interaction set in motion learning processes that explain clients' behavioral change during and after clinical sessions.…”

“…From a functional analytical perspective, this verbal interaction set in motion learning processes that explain clients' behavioral change during and after clinical sessions. Research in experimental analysis of verbal behavior has managed to describe, predict, and control basic verbal operants and complex verbal behavior (e.g., Michael et al, 2011;Miguel, 2018) and has established empirical foundations to perform functional analysis of verbal interaction in psychological interventions (Carr & Miguel, 2013;Virués-Ortega & Froxán-Parga, 2015). Verbal interaction in session constitutes a social context in which the therapist, through procedures derived from the applied behavior analysis (e.g., molding, reinforcement of alternative behaviors, extinction, etc.)…”

Saber qué y saber cómo. Una propuesta explicativa de tres técnicas terapéuticas empíricamente validadas

“…La consideración del lenguaje y las verbalizaciones como el verdadero objetivo de la reestructuración permite el análisis de la interacción terapéutica que tiene lugar durante la aplicación de la técnica atendiendo a las funciones de dichas verbalizaciones, sin entenderlas como el producto de algo interno o profundo o la causa de otros comportamientos (Virués-Ortega y Froján-Parga, 2015).…”

Revisión sistemática en el Síndrome del Acento Extranjero: intervención y terapia del lenguaje.

“…del lenguaje en procesos terapéuticos (ViruesOrtega y Froján-Parga, 2015). De esta forma, en términos generales, se suple la carencia de una actuación clínica global y multidisciplinar en casos de SAE diagnosticados.…”