The Complexities and Philosophy of RFT in 5 minutes… GO!

The Importance of Human Language Practically everything we do is shaped by our verbal behavior The ability to control behavior with words A better understanding of how we influence eachother Harness the power of language systematically

In addition “Economies stand or fall on their abilities to develop and disseminate verbal knowledge” ~Steven Hayes “Words are, in my not so humble opinion, the most inexhaustible source of magic; capable of both inflicting injury and remedying it.“ ~Dumbledore

BRIEFLY on Skinner’s Verbal Behavior Language is behavior Behavior operates on its environment Types of verbal behavior have specific functions Mand Tact Intraverbal

What it is R elational F rame T heory: An addition to the analysis of human behavior A cogent philosophy to guide research and understanding of verbal behavior And most importantly A virtual extension for the currently prominent analysis of Skinner’s Verbal Behavior

Whence it comes Rule governance A failure to account for the behavior of the listener A failure to account for the process in stimulus equivalence Functional contexualism

Stimulus Equivalence A B C

Not as easy as it looks Generalized operants Clearly easier for humans than animals Unique when considering the complexity

Stimulus Equivalence Terms and Equivalent RFT Terms A B C = A Reflexivity Symmetry MUTUAL ENTAILMENT COMBINATORIAL Transitivity

Show me the money WRITTEN WORD SPOKEN WORD “DOG” DOG = = =

More Terms Derived Relational Responding Getting free stuff Relational Framing Arbitrarily Applicable Relational Responding

What the C FUNC does that mean?

How this works (More terms) Relation is established C ontext and Rel ation: C REL Stimulus function with regards to the relation C ontext and func tion: C FUNC

Arbitrary Relations

Arbitrary examples

Rule Governance… and More Terms Different kinds specified by RFT Terms Pliance Do what yo mama tells you Tracking Behave with the environment after the rule I FEEL GREAT!

Rule Governance… and More Terms Augmenting Formative Motivative

“Don’t drive through a red light” “Don’t kick a man while he’s down” “Study hard and you will have a better chance at success” “Put more clothes on or you’ll be cold” “Stop abusing alcohol or you’ll die” “Try again and you’ll do better” “Don’t say anything, you’ll make it worse” “Be good and you will find peace” “Pray and you’ll go to heaven” “Don’t stop on a crack or you’ll break your mothers back” “Stop smoking or you’ll get cancer” “Don’t drink and drive” “If you save your money you will be able to afford a nice house” “Show up to work on time” “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”

The Man

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