Barnes-Holmes, Yvonne and Barnes-Holmes, Dermot and McHugh, Louise and Hayes, Steven C. (2004) Relational Frame Theory: Some Implications for Understanding and Treating Human Psychopathology. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 4. pp. 355-375.

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Abstract

In the current paper, we attempt to show how both the basic and applied sciences of behavior analysis have been transformed by the modern research agenda in human language and cognition, known as Relational Frame Theory (RFT). At the level of basic process, the paper argues that the burgeoning literature on derived stimulus relations calls for a reinterpretation of complex human behavior that extends beyond a purely contingencybased analysis. Specifically, the paper aims to show how a more complete account of complex human behavior includes an analysis of relational frames, relational networks, relating relations, rules, perspective-taking, and the concept of self. According to the theory, this analysis gives rise to a new interpretation of human psychopathology that necessarily transforms the applied science of behavior therapy. The current paper is divided into three parts. In Part 1, we provide a brief summary of the integrated history of behavioral psychology and behavior therapy, including their emphases on the principles of classical and operant conditioning as the basis for an account of human psychopathology. In Part 2, the core features of RFT are presented, including the three concepts of bidirectional stimulus relations, relating relations, and rule-governance that constitute critical components of the RFT approach to human psychopathology. The paper therein attempts to illustrate, with the use of clinically relevant examples, the ways in which these concepts can be used to understand psychopathology and psychotherapy. In Part 3, RFT interpretations of three central features of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), namely acceptance, defusion, and values are provided with a view to demonstrating the utility of basic RFT concepts in the treatment of human suffering.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Experimental and applied behavior analysis, RFT, language and cognition, derived stimulus relations, complex human behavior.
Academic Unit:	Faculty of Science and Engineering > Psychology
Item ID:	402
Depositing User:	Yvonne Barnes-Holmes
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2006
Journal or Publication Title:	International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy
Publisher:	Universidad de Almería
Refereed:	Yes
URI:
Use Licence:	This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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