Defusion: A Behavior-analytic Strategy for Addressing Private Events

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Behavior Analysis in Practice

Volume

4

Issue

2

Publisher

Association for Behavior Analysis International

Publication Date

8-1-2011

First Page

4

Last Page

13

Abstract

Applied behavior analysts encounter situations in which private events hinder client progress, and additional techniques to address these issues are needed. By conceptualizing private events as verbal rules, we provide a behavior-analytic framework for understanding and addressing these events. Relational frame theory (RFT) is the basis for this conceptual foundation; the empirically based principles of RFT are presented along with direct implications for understanding private events. Defusion, an RFT-based technique for addressing private events, is then described and empirical studies that evaluate the effects of defusion are reviewed. Finally, potential clinical applications for practicing behavior analysts are offered.

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