Relational frame theory, acceptance and commitment therapy, and a functional analytic definition of mindfulness

Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapy, Vol. 23, No. 4, Winter 2005 ( 2006)DOI: 10.1007/s10942-005-0017-7Published Online: November 30, 2005RELATIONAL FRAME THEORY, ACCEPTANCEAND COMMITMENT THERAPY, AND A

FUNCTIONAL ANALYTIC DEFINITION OFMINDFULNESSLindsay FletcherSteven C. HayesUniversity of Nevada, USAABSTRACT: The present article interprets mindfulness from the point of

view of the effects of language and cognition on human action. Relational

Frame Theory is described to show how human suffering is created by

entanglement with the cognitive networks made possible by language.

Mindfulness can be understood as a collection of related processes that function to undermine the dominance of verbal networks, especially involving

temporal and evaluative relations. These processes include acceptance, defusion, contact with the present moment, and the transcendent sense of self.

Each of these components of mindfulness are targeted in Acceptance and

Commitment Therapy, and there is some evidence that they underlie the

therapeutic changes induced by this approach. The relation between the

present approach to mindfulness and other approaches is discussed.KEY WORDS: mindfulness; acceptance and commitment therapy; relational

frame theory; Buddhism.The benefits of mindfulness practices have been recognized by

nearly every religious tradition, dating back for thousands of years.

Recently, scientists have become interested in the effects of mindfulness on mental health. Researchers in diverse fields, such as psychology, neuroscience, physics, and philosophy, in cooperation with major

spiritual and religious leaders, such as the Dalai Lama, are

investigating the impact of mindfulness on psychological well-beingAuthor for correspondence to Steven C. Hayes, Department of Psychology, University of Nevada,

Reno, NV, 89557-0062, USA, E-mail: [email protected] 2005 Springer Science+Business Media, Inc.316 Journal of Rational-Emotive & Cognitive-Behavior Therapyand its neurobiological correlates (e.g., Davidson et al., 2003). Several

recently developed psychotherapies include mindfulness in their

treatment protocols (Hayes, Follette, & Linehan, 2004).A scientific approach to mindfulness is necessary to determine

whether the processes used to alleviate suffering in ancient traditions

have a place in modern psychology. It does not seem to be enough

merely to examine the impact of such practices as mindfulness meditation; it is also necessary to understand that impact and its sources

(Hayes & Shenk, 2004). In this paper, we will attempt to characterize

mindfulness from the point of view of a modern behavioral approach

to the study of language and cognition and its applied extensions.THE THIRD WAVE...