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Relational Frame Theory

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Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is a new and explicitly psychological 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. RFT provides the theoretical model upon which ACT is based and is the current focus of a number of exciting investigations in how and under what circumstances human language functions. To find out more about RFT visit www.contextualpsychology.org/rft and for a good introduction go through the online tutorial.

Recommended Relational Frame Theory Books ¶

Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., Roche, Roche, B. (Eds.) (2001). Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian account of human language and cognition. New York: Plenum Press.

This book (combined with more general behavioral principles) is the theoretical foundation of ACT. Usually not a good place to start, but sooner or later -- like a moth to a flame -- if you are an ACT clinician you will want to know RFT. Once you understand it language will never look the same and ACT will begin to seem much more coherent to you.