Is Acceptance and Commitment Training or Therapy (ACT) a Method that Applied Behavior Analysts Can and Should Use?

Dixon, Mark R.; Hayes, Steven C.; Stanley, Caleb R.; Law, Stu; Al-Nasser, Thouraya

doi:10.1007/s40732-020-00436-9

Cited by 30 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 127 publications

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“…When seen in the light of radically functional operant classes, verbalizing about one's experiences, self-reflections, hopes, and goals, (and that of others) may be found to be at the heart of many issues. From ToM, to an analysis of the behavioral functions which impact challenging questions about 'who we are' and 'what we want out of life' to name a few (Hayes, Law, Malady, Zhu, & Bai, 2020;Dixon et al, 2020). Evidence to date strongly suggests that deictic framing can be adequately treated as a series of operant classes.…”

Section: Development and Shapingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relating is an Operant: A Fly Over of 35 Years of RFT Research

Hayes¹,

Law²,

Assemi³

et al. 2021

perspectivas

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Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is the simplest form of operant theory since it claims nothing more than a particular type of behavior, arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding, is an operant. While the theory is simple, its implications are not, and adoption has been slow until recently. RFT was first formally described in 1985 and in the 35 years since, hundreds of studies have been conducted on relational learning from an operant point of view. The present paper briefly summarizes that history and examines some of its key claims. So far, the empirical program delineated by RFT has held up remarkably well. Future directions are delineated that will enable a more comprehensive evaluation of the importance of the RFT research program, and a more thorough exploration of its profound implications.

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Section: Development and Shapingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relating is an Operant: A Fly Over of 35 Years of RFT Research

Hayes¹,

Law²,

Assemi³

et al. 2021

perspectivas

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Cognitive fusion refers to a contextually controlled behavior–behavior relation in which private events (i.e., thoughts and feelings) are responded to as if they are literally true, rather than just as simply more stimuli in a person’s environment. In other words, ACT views cognitive fusion as overly rigid control of behavior by verbal rules (Tarbox et al, 2020 ; see also Dixon et al, 2020 ). From an ACT perspective, when a person takes their thoughts literally, it results in insensitivity to direct contingencies of reinforcement by impeding contact with direct antecedents and consequences of behavior (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 2012c ).…”

Section: Cognitive Fusionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why We Are Not Acting to Save Ourselves: ACT, Health, and Culture

Rehfeldt

Tyndall

2021

Behav Analysis Practice

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Chronic health conditions are increasing at an alarming rate worldwide, and many could be prevented if people were to engage in specific lifestyle behaviors. Intervening on lifestyle behaviors is challenging due to the fact that the consequences associated with unhealthy behaviors are temporally distant and probabilistic, and the aversive functions of covert stimuli may interfere with people's engagement in healthy, preventative behaviors. This article explores the role of relational framing in the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors and summarizes research supporting the use of acceptance and commitment training (ACT) as a framework for prevention and intervention. We explore how ACT alters the context in which rigid patterns of rule following occur. ACT loosens the literal functions of stimuli so that experiential-avoidance behaviors are weakened, and healthy, valuesconsistent behaviors are strengthened. We propose culture-wide interventions inspired by contextual behavior science so that healthier societies can be cultivated.

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“…In response, applied practitioners have, at times, stretched these broad descriptive functions beyond their reasonable limit rather than learning how to include stimulus equivalence and derived relational responding into a well‐rounded functional analytic account (Hayes et al, in press; Sasso et al, 2001). If a soldier dives on a grenade to save others, it seems grotesque to suggest it is due to “attention.” For behavior analysts to address the complexity of such behavior they will need to learn how to as ask behaviorally sensible questions about values, goals, and committed actions (Dixon et al, in press. ).…”

Section: Murray Sidman: Philosopher Of Sciencementioning

confidence: 99%

Murray Sidman: fostering progress through foundational choices

Law

Hayes

2020

J Exper Analysis Behavior

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The contributions of Murray Sidman to the field of behavior analysis have helped to put the field on a progressive path. In this paper we describe three areas as examples, drawn from the larger set of his notable contributions: the analysis of stimulus equivalence in a way that has fostered a behavior‐analytic approach to derived stimulus relations and symbolic meaning; the observation and measurement of individual behavior through time; and his stance against punitive applied methods. In each of these areas Sidman was a dedicated behaviorist, avoiding appeals to mentalistic or transcendental forces, opposing hypothetical mediational accounts, and taking a functional and contextual approach. Clarity of assumptions was at the heart of Sidman's effective scientific practices and there is no reason to think that those same assumptions will not carry us further, as evidence mounts in support of these views on psychological research and practice.

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Is Acceptance and Commitment Training or Therapy (ACT) a Method that Applied Behavior Analysts Can and Should Use?

Cited by 30 publications

References 127 publications

Relating is an Operant: A Fly Over of 35 Years of RFT Research

Relating is an Operant: A Fly Over of 35 Years of RFT Research

Why We Are Not Acting to Save Ourselves: ACT, Health, and Culture

Murray Sidman: fostering progress through foundational choices

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