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

Abstract

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.

The Effect of Multiple Exemplar Instruction(MEI) within Relational Frame Theory on Perspective-Taking Responses Using Fairy Tales in Children with Developmental Disabilities

“…원활한 대인 관계에서는 필수적으로 타인의 의도와 생각을 이해할 수 있어야 하며 이러한 능력은 유아기부터 요구되며 차후 타인과 사회적 관계를 맺는 과정을 통해 더욱 발전된 구성원으로 자라는 데 중요한 기능 을 한다 (이영자, 오진희, 2006; 최혜숙, 2020). 현재 관점수용 능력과 관련된 문헌으로 문학작품 을 활용한 유아 대상의 연구 결과가 보고되었는데 그림책이나 동화 등을 활용한 활동이 타인의 관점에서 사고하는 관점수용 능력 발달에 긍정적 영향을 준다는 사실이 입증되었다 (송정, 2007;최혜숙, 2020;이영자, 오진희, 2006;Hayes et al, 2021) 이라는 접근 방식의 개념과 기술을 사용하였다 (Baron-Cohen et al, 2000).…”

Teoria das Molduras Relacionais (RFT)

“…A RFT tem tido impacto significativo na ciência comportamental, com centenas de artigos publicados em um ritmo de crescimento acelerado nas últimas décadas (Dymond et al, 2010;O'Connor et al, 2017;Hayes et al, 2021). Estas pesquisas têm buscado demonstrar experimentalmente as proposições centrais da RFT (Barnes-Holmes et al, 2017); empregar estes fundamentos para a compreensão de fenômenos humanos complexos, como linguagem (Stewart et al, 2013), cognição (McLoughlin & Stewart, 2017), inteligência (Cassidy et al, 2010), preconceito (Mizael & De Almeida, 2019), tomada de perspectiva (Montoya-Rodríguez et al, 2017) e psicopatologia (Dymond et al, 2018); e avaliar sua aplicação em contextos como psicoterapia (Villatte et al, 2015), educação (Szabo & Dixon, 2016) e ensino de linguagem (Rehfeldt & Barnes-Holmes, 2009).…”

What Can We Learn by Treating Perspective Taking as Problem Solving?

“…Skinner (1957) defined verbal behavior as behavior for which reinforcement is mediated by others whose behavior has specifically been conditioned to do so. Although some have found this definition unsatisfying (e.g.,Hayes et al, 2021), we will apply it herein unless otherwise specified.…”