Relational Frame Theory

Question 1

Behavioural theories and rft

Answer 1

Traditional Behavoural theories play a crucial role in understanding learning and behavior, but had limitations in andressing complex cogitive processes like language. RFT further explores and adds to Skinner’s radical behaviourism theory to address internal cognitive processes such as language and cognition

Question 2

Radical behaviourism and its limitations

Answer 2

Skinner’s theory focused on observable behaviours , with language seen as a behaviour influenced by external factors, overlooking internal processes.

Limitations: undermines human complexities and language and cognition not deemed as scientifically relevant in behaviourism/ neglects biological factors

Question 3

RFT: Relational Frame Theory (Hayes et al., 2001)

Answer 3

RFT (Hayes et al., 2001) explains how humans learn language and other cognitive behaviours /proposes that language and cognition are based in the ability to relate stimuli rather than responding only (Hughes & Barnes-Holmes, 2016)

Question 4

What processes of RFT claims that people learn to relate stimuli yo each other and how the relationship between stimuli influences responses

Answer 4

This process is refered as Arbitrarily Applicable Relational Responding (AARR). ( Hayes et al., 2001)

Question 5

Strengths of Relational frame theory (RFT)

Answer 5

comprehensive explanation of language and cognition: explains how humans learn and use language addressing gaps in Skinner’s radical behaviourism/ combines both observable behaviours and internal cognitive processes/ RFT expands beyond stimulus response relationships by examining complex relationships and processes such as problem solving ( Powell et al., 2017)

Question 6

Strengths of RFT

Answer 6

comprehensive explanation of language and cognition explains how humans learn and use language addressing gaps in Skinner’s radical behaviourism/ combines both observable behaviours and internal cognitive processes/ RFT expands beyond traditional stimulus response relationships by examining complex relationships and processes like problem solving (Powell et al.,2017)

Question 7

Limitations of RFT

Answer 7

RFT has been critised for is complexity and its abstract concepts which make it less accesible than traditional behaviourism theories (Torneke, 2010 )
Further research needed to specifically study complex relationships and scientific research needed to back up and validate research (Hughes & Barnes- Holmes, 2016)

Question 8

Applications of RFT

Answer 8

Clinical settings: Applied in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), demonstrating practical applications in addressing relational frames, to shape cognitive responses
education: RFT has highlighted the importance of relational learning
in developing language and cognitive skills