Learning RFT: An Introduction to Relational Frame Theory and Its Clinical Application

290 Pages·2010·9.83 MB·English

by  Niklas Törneke

Learning

An Introduction to
Relational Frame Theory
and Its Clinical Application

NIKLAS TÖRNEKE, MD
Foreword by Dermot Barnes-Holmes, Ph.D.
Afterword by Steven C. Hayes, Ph.D.

RFT

TÖRNEKE
LEARNING RFT

A Clear and Comprehensive Guide
to Relational Frame Theory

Relational frame theory, or RFT, is the little-understood behavioral theory be-
hind a recent development in modern psychology: the shift from the cognitive
paradigm underpinning cognitive behavioral therapy to a new understanding of
language and cognition. Learning RFT presents a basic yet comprehensive intro-
duction to this fascinating theory, which forms the basis of acceptance and com-
mitment therapy. The book also offers practical guidance for directly applying
RFT in clinical work.

In the book, author Niklas Törneke presents the building blocks of RFT: language
as a particular kind of relating, derived stimulus relations, and transformation of
stimulus functions. He then shows how these concepts are essential to understand-
ing acceptance and commitment therapy and other therapeutic models. Learning
RFT shows how to use experiential exercises and metaphors in psychological treat-
ment and explains how they can help your clients. This book belongs on the book-
shelves of psychologists, psychotherapists, students, and others seeking to deepen
their understanding of psychological treatment from a behavioral perspective.

“There is no better place to start learning about RFT than this excellent
book. Törneke teaches the principles of RFT simply and elegantly . . . I
wish a book like this had existed when I first learned about RFT.”
—Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap and ACT Made Simple

NIKLAS TÖRNEKE, MD, is a psychiatrist and licensed psychotherapist in private practice in
Kalmar, Sweden. Together with Jonas Ramnerö, Ph.D., he has previously authored The ABCs
of Human Behavior.

Foreword writer DERMOT BARNES-HOLMES, PH.D., is foundation professor of psychol-
ogy at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and coauthor of Relational Frame Theory.

Afterword writer STEVEN C. HAYES, PH.D., is University of Nevada Foundation Professor
of Psychology at the University of Nevada, Reno, and has authored and coauthored numerous
books, including Acceptance and Commitment
Therapy, Relational Frame Theory, and Get Out of
Your Mind and Into Your Life.

US $49.95 PSYCHOLOGY

ISBN: 978-1-57224-906-6

5 4 9 9 5

9 781572 249066

Context
Press

Context Press
An Imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
www.newharbinger.com

“There is no better place to start learning about RFT than this excellent book.
Törneke teaches the principles of RFT simply and elegantly, using a wealth
of clinical examples to make it accessible and stimulating. I wish a book like
this had existed when I first learned about RFT; it would have saved me many
hours of hard work, frustration, and confusion.”

—Russ Harris, author of The Happiness Trap and ACT Made
Simple

“On rare occasions, the skills of writer, therapist, and theorist combine to
give the field a sophisticated yet highly practical book. This much-awaited
translation shows relational frame theory as an accessible, powerful tool for
all who use talk therapy. A must-read for those interested in contemporary
behaviorism.”

—Kelly Koerner, Ph.D., creative director at Evidence Based

Practice Institute in Seattle, WA

“Since RFT first appeared in the experimental literature, it has been hailed
as a breakthrough in our scientific understanding of language and cognition
with direct and important implications for clinical psychological practice. Yet,
descriptions of RFT, written largely for technical audiences, have been, at best,
curiously baffling, and at worst, maddeningly incomprehensible. In this book,
Törneke has solved the puzzle of RFT! He summarizes the history of RFT, its
key features, and its clinical implications with language that is user-friendly
and easily understandable. I believe this book will make a huge difference
for clinicians who wish to understand RFT and its implications for clinical
practice. It also may be a useful learning tool for researchers and RFT experts
themselves who wish to learn and see a beautiful example of how RFT can be
presented clearly and comprehensively.”

—Jonathan Kanter, associate professor at the University

of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and director of its Depression
Treatment Specialty Clinic

“For years, clinicians have asked me for recommendations about what they
should read to learn RFT. There was really no good advice I could give except
‘be persistent.’ Finally, I have a better answer. If you want to understand
relational frame theory, this is the place to start. Törneke’s RFT primer is both
masterful and accessible.”

—Kelly G. Wilson, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology

at the University of Mississippi, coauthor of Acceptance and
Commitment Therapy and author of Mindfulness for Two

“At times, while reading Törneke’s book, I have felt as though I were in
the middle of a thriller about the psychopathological behaviors of humans.
Clues to unraveling the mystery embedded in complex concepts like
‘arbitrarily applicable relational responding’ have alerted me, as the reader,
to what is coming up next. Our ability for relational framing and for
rule-governed behavior may at first glance seem fabulous—a gift from the
gods—but darkness lurks around the corner. Our ability to problem-solve is
the villain. This book helps me make sense of it all.”

—Maria Midbøe, M.Sc., candidate in psychology at

Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden

“Until now, explanations of relational frame theory have remained largely
esoteric and even impenetrable to all but the most specialized scholars. For
the first time, this extraordinary book provides a highly accessible account
of relational frame theory, including its larger context within psychology,
the current research in the field, and its many potential applications.
Törneke strikes a fine balance between doing justice to relational frame
theory and making the theory, research, and its implications readily
comprehensible to the non-expert. This unique book is a must-read for
scholars of human cognition, as well as clinicians, educators, others seeking
to harness the power of basic psychological principles in their applied work,
and anyone interested in the renaissance of modern behavior analysis.”

—James D. Herbert, Ph.D., professor of psychology at

Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA, and director of
Anxiety Treatment and Research

Learning

An Introduction to
Relational Frame Th eory
and Its Clinical Application

NIKLAS TÖRNEKE, MD

RFT

CONTEXT PRESS

An Imprint of New Harbinger Publications, Inc.

Publisher’s Note

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to
the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged
in rendering psychological, financial, legal, or other professional services. If expert assistance or
counseling is needed, the services of a competent professional should be sought.

Distributed in Canada by Raincoast Books

Copyright © 2010 by by Niklas Törneke

New Harbinger Publications, Inc.
5674 Shattuck Avenue
Oakland, CA 94609
www.newharbinger.com

All Rights Reserved

Acquired by Catharine Sutker; Cover design by Amy Shoup; Edited by Jasmine Star

PDF ISBN: 978-1-57224-908-0

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as:

Törneke, Niklas.
[Relational frame theory. English]
Learning RFT : an introduction to relational frame theory and its clinical applications /
Niklas Törneke ; foreword by Dermot Barnes-Holmes ; afterword by Steven C. Hayes.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-57224-906-6
1. Cognitive therapy. 2. Acceptance and commitment therapy. I. Title.
RC489.C6313T67 2010
616.89’1425--dc22
2010024048

In remembrance of my father, David

Contents

Foreword to the U.S. Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix

Foreword to the Swedish Edition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xiii

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii

A Personal Word of Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

PART 1
Background

CHAPTER 1
Radical Behaviorism and Fundamental Behavior Analytic Principles . . . . 9

CHAPTER 2
Thinking and Human Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

CHAPTER 3
Is the Power of Thinking a Clinically Relevant Issue? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

PART 2

Relational Learning

CHAPTER 4
Derived Relational Responding as the Fundamental Element in
Human Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

vi

Learning RFT

CHAPTER 5
Analogies, Metaphors, and Our Experience of Self . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

CHAPTER 6
Relational Framing and Rule-Governed Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

CHAPTER 7
The Dark Side of Human Languaging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

PART 3

Clinical Implications

CHAPTER 8
Learning Theory and Psychological Therapies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

CHAPTER 9
General Guidelines for Clinical Behavior Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

CHAPTER 10
Altering the Context with a Focus on Consequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

CHAPTER 11
Altering the Context with a Focus on Antecedents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

Afterword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 239

References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

Clarity, simplicity, depth.
This is what I seek to achieve and unite.
Excluding none of the three.
Hence the difficulty.

—Pär Lagerkvist (translated by Elizabeth Ask de Lambert)

Foreword to the U.S. Edition

A PRAGMATIC THEORY OF HUMAN
LANGUAGE AND COGNITION

Behavior analysis is an extremely unusual approach to psychological science.
In stark contrast to mainstream psychology, the behavioral tradition refuses
to appeal to mediating mental representations and processes as the basis for
explaining human behavior. Instead, it adheres to a thoroughgoing functional
analytic approach in which the systematic analysis of the interactions between
an organism and its past and current environmental contexts provides the
framework for explaining all psychological events.
Somewhat surprisingly, perhaps, this unusual approach yielded consid-
erable success in the early years, particularly in improving the lives of indi-
viduals diagnosed with various learning disabilities. However, the same level
of success was not observed when behavior analysis turned its attention to
human language and cognition. Noam Chomsky’s damning review of B. F.
Skinner’s Verbal Behavior is well known, and is sometimes offered as “proof”
that the nonmediational approach of behavior analysis could not stretch to
the more advanced or sophisticated aspects of human psychology (such as
language and thought). In fact, Skinner’s work did go on to provide the basis
for a number of language training programs, but once again success was
limited largely to learning-disabled populations.
The key problem with Verbal Behavior, and one that Chomsky highlighted,
is that it fails to address the highly generative nature of human language.
Although the book does not leave this issue completely untouched, it fails

x

Learning RFT

to provide a well-developed technical account of the almost infinite novelty
that language can generate. Furthermore, its treatment of advanced language
phenomena such as metaphor and analogy is unconvincing. For example,
in providing functional analytic interpretations of these verbal behaviors, it
interweaves lay terms with technical terms, and the resulting analyses thus
lack the required precision.
But of course Skinner wrote the book almost two decades before Murray
Sidman’s first study on equivalence class formation was conducted, with all
of the implications for the behavioral study of human language that emerged
from that seminal research. Skinner was clearly at a serious disadvantage in
not having access to this equivalence data set and the conceptual work that
followed. We now know that derived relational responding appears quite
early in the behavioral repertoires of young children, and modern behavioral
treatments of human language and cognition have emerged from this work.
Unfortunately for Skinner’s Verbal Behavior, this research was lacking in the
book. For the most part, therefore, Verbal Behavior was a direct contingency
account of human language that made only passing reference to the most
important defining feature of verbal behavior: derived relational responding.
The first book on relational frame theory, Relational Frame Theory: A
Post-Skinnerian Account of Human Language and Cognition (Hayes, Barnes-
Holmes, & Roche, 2001), published over thirty years after Skinner’s work,
aimed to present a modern behavior analytic account of human language and
cognition. The theory embraced derived relations and indeed put them at the
very heart of the account. Nevertheless, RFT remained a natural extension of
earlier conceptual and empirical research within behavior analysis. The core
concept in the book, arbitrarily applicable relational responding, was based
solidly on Skinner’s concept of the operant and drew heavily on Sidman’s
seminal work on equivalence classes. Specifically, equivalence class formation
was seen as the result of a history of operant conditioning (a learned response
class), and based on this argument, the possibility of multiple forms of such
response classes (relational frames) was predicted.
The 2001 RFT book explains how the basic analytic units of human
verbal behavior—relational frames—may be combined into more complex
units, giving rise to the relating of relational frames, increasingly complex
relational networks, and the relating of entire relational networks to other
relational networks. These types of highly abstract concepts are used in the
book to provide a nonmediational and purely functional analytic account
of the full range of human verbal abilities, including naming, storytelling,
humor, abstract logic, the verbal construction of self, and spirituality.
The primary purpose behind the 2001 RFT book involved provid-
ing more than a modern behavioral interpretation of human language and

xi

cognition. Its purpose was intensely pragmatic. Among other objectives, the
book aimed to stimulate both basic and applied research on human language
and cognition, and to provide a set of functional analytic terms that would
facilitate communication among researchers and practitioners. It appears to
have been relatively successful in achieving the first goal, but the latter objec-
tive, I believe, requires another book: the one you are currently reading.
Relational Frame Theory: A Post-Skinnerian Account of Human Language
and Cognition is intensely academic, full of jargon, and littered with highly
abstract concepts. Learning RTF contains many of those concepts and some
of the jargon, but it presents the material in a very accessible manner and,
critically, does complete justice to the subject matter.
The first section of Learning RFT starts with a succinct but well-worked
introduction to the philosophical and conceptual underpinnings of behav-
ior analysis, an understanding of which is essential in grappling with what is
to follow. The topics of thinking and human language are then introduced,
and the traditional Skinnerian perspective on these topics is explained and
contrasted with that of traditional cognitive therapy. In this examination it is
proposed that neither approach has fully dealt with the role of thinking and
language, at least in the clinical domain. The first section of the book will
serve as a strong motivator for the reader, and particularly the clinician, to
delve into the next and perhaps most challenging section.
In the second part of Learning RFT, the theory itself is presented, but in
a highly accessible way. The chapters in this section strike a perfect balance
between providing an appropriate level of technical detail and keeping the
writing lively, light, and a pleasure to read. Furthermore, although the earlier
chapters in this section focus necessarily on the more abstract features of
RFT, the writing progresses rapidly and with relative ease to issues that will
be of more interest to the practicing clinician, dealing with topics such as
self and perspective taking. The final chapter in this section, “The Dark Side
of Human Languaging,” will be particularly relevant to clinicians in that it
explains how RFT means that human language and cognition may be the
source of much human suffering.
The third and final section of the book focuses on the clinical implica-
tions of RFT. The section begins with traditional behavior therapy and how
it relates to other therapeutic approaches, then it explains how RFT makes a
unique contribution to our understanding of psychotherapy itself. The reader
is now prepared for the final chapters of the book, which work systematically
through the application of modern behavior analysis to clinical psychology.
This material provides a powerful review of clinical behavior analysis and
in particular explains how RFT supplements and extends the traditional
behavior therapeutic approach. It is only in this final part of the book that

xii

Learning RFT

the intensely pragmatic nature of RFT is fully revealed. This highly abstract
and arcane theory allows the practitioner to conceptualize human language
and thought as composed of behavioral units that may be subjected to func-
tional analyses and behavioral intervention strategies. In short, Learning RFT
clearly illustrates in a very powerful way how RFT can contribute toward the
conceptualization and treatment of human suffering. In truth, this is a book
I would love to have written.

—Dermot Barnes-Holmes
National University of Ireland, Maynooth

Dermot Barnes-Holmes is foundation Professor of Psychology at the National
University of Ireland, Maynooth. He has published approximately two
hundred scientific articles, book chapters, and books, the vast majority of
which have focused on the study of human language and cognition from a
behavior analytic perspective.