The most cited articles published since 2010, extracted from Scopus
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 1-16
Steven Hayes | Dermot Barnes-Holmes | Kelly G. Wilson
The present article describes the nature, scope, and purpose of Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS). Emerging from behavioral psychology but expanding from those roots, CBS is based on contextual assumptions regarding the centrality of situated action, the nature of epistemology versus ontology, and a pragmatic truth criterion linked to the specific goal of predicting-and-influencing psychological events with precision, scope, and depth. These assumptions and goals explain the characteristic features of CBS including its environmentalism, focus on theory and principles, and its reticulated or networked program of theory development, research and practice. Domains of development include increased linkage to multi-dimensional and multi-level evolution science; development of principles that describe the interaction of behavior and symbolic events with genetic, epigenetic, and cultural dimensions; expansion of theoretical and model development to a broader range of areas of human complexity; advances in measurement theory and practice; the development of techniques and components linked to contextual processes and principles; broad testing of these methods; additional research on mediation and moderation; more concern for effectiveness and training; and enhancement of a diverse development community. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 17-38
Sean Hughes | Dermot Barnes-Holmes | Nigel A. Vahey
Throughout much of the past two decades, contextual behavioral science has been applied to a diverse spectrum of psychological phenomena. This intellectual voyage into uncharted waters has brought with it exciting new developments at the methodological and theoretical levels as well as increased contact with other philosophical frameworks such as mechanism. This expansion into new territories requires that the researcher carefully walk a tight-rope between different intellectual traditions-an activity that is subject to several challenges and dangers. In the following paper we provide a detailed map on how to navigate such pitfalls in the study of implicit cognition. We open with a comprehensive overview of the core assumptions and analytic strategies upon which the cognitive (mechanistic) and functional (contextual) traditions have been built. As we shall see, both traditions have sought to understand, predict, and in some cases influence, behavior using radically different conceptual, theoretical and methodological tools. The Relational Elaboration and Coherence (REC) model as well as the Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) are offered as examples of how researchers can explore the domain of implicit cognition from a purely functional perspective. Finally, we examine the possibility that although the cognitive and functional frameworks operate at two independent levels of analysis each may be mutually informed by the work of the other, to the benefit of both. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 1-2, April 2013, Pages 39-48
Emily K. Sandoz | Kelly G. Wilson | Rhonda M. Merwin | Karen Kate Kellum
Acceptance and mindfulness components are increasingly incorporated into treatment for eating disorders with promising results. The development of measures of proposed change processes would facilitate ongoing scientific progress. The current series of studies evaluated one such instrument, the Body Image-Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (BI-AAQ), which was designed to measure body image flexibility. Study one focused on the generation and reduction of items for the BI-AAQ and a demonstration of construct validity. Body image flexibility was associated with increased psychological flexibility, decreased body image dissatisfaction, and less disordered eating. Study two demonstrated adequate internal consistency and test-retest reliability of BI-AAQ. Study three extended findings related to structural and construct validity, and demonstrated an indirect effect of body image dissatisfaction on disordered eating via body image flexibility. Research and clinical utility of the BI-AAQ are discussed. The BI-AAQ is proposed as a measure of body image flexibility, a potential change process in acceptance-oriented treatments of eating disorders. © 2013.
Volume 3, Issue 2, January 2014, Pages 98-108
Sabrina M. Darrow | William C. Follette
Alexithymia is a term used to describe individuals who seem unable to experience or at least describe emotions. This paper offers a theoretical interpretation of alexithymia from a radical behaviorist perspective. While there have been attempts to explain the etiology of alexithymia, the current analysis is unique in that it provides direct treatment implications. The pragmatic analysis described focuses on the verbal behavior of individuals rather than looking "inside" for explanations. This is supported by a review of experimental research that has failed to find consistencies among alexithymic individuals[U+05F3] physiological responding. Descriptions of the various discriminative and consequential stimulus conditions involved in the complex learning histories of individuals that could result in an alexithymic presentation are provided. This analysis helps situate the alexithymia construct in a broader behavior analytic understanding of emotions. Finally this paper outlines implications for assessment and treatment, which involve influencing discriminative and consequential interpersonal stimulus conditions to shape verbal behavior about emotions. © 2014 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 3, Issue 2, January 2014, Pages 148-153
Roger Vilardaga | Jonathan B. Bricker | Michael G. McDonell
Mobile technologies are growing rapidly around the world to broad demographics of society. These technologies hold great promise for their integration with Single Case Designs (SCDs) and the study of individuals in their natural environment. This paper discusses the theoretical, methodological and analytic implications of these tools for the advancement of the contextual behavioral etiology of behavioral disorders, and their remediation. We hope this paper will highlight the scientific advantages of combining mobile technologies and SCDs and encourage their adoption among CBS scientists. © 2014 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 1-2, April 2013, Pages 23-30
Emma Nicholson | Angela McCourt | Dermot Barnes-Holmes
The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) was utilized as a means of interpreting disgust in terms of the six domains of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder as defined by the Obsessive Compulsive Cognitions Working Group; excessive responsibility, overestimation of threat, perfectionism, intolerance for uncertainty, over importance of thoughts and need to control thoughts. A non-clinical sample (N=44 undergraduate students) completed an IRAP designed to assess appraisals of disgust-inducing pictorial stimuli based on the six belief domains at the implicit level. A series of self-report measures including the Obsessive-Beliefs Questionnaire, the Padua Inventory and the STAI were also implemented. Results indicated that a greater bias toward appraising disgusting stimuli as being negative was related to excessive responsibility and overestimation of threat along with perfectionism and intolerance for uncertainty. Critically, these effects were found to be independent of anxiety supporting the influence of disgust responding in the etiology of OC tendencies. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2014, Pages 65-68
Classical statistical methods rely on the analytical power of mathematics and some assumptions rather than on computer power. In research with human participants the assumption of random sampling is rarely correct. The great increase in computer power in recent decades makes available an approach to statistical inference which does not require random sampling, namely randomization tests. For these tests we do need random assignment of conditions or treatments to participants or observation occasions, but this is usually necessary anyway to ensure internal validity. External validity is achieved by replication and nonstatistical reasoning whether we use classical or randomization tests. Small-. n and single case investigations (including phase designs) benefit from randomization designs and tests, but they can equally well be used for large-. n studies. Software is becoming available for analysis of randomization tests, course materials are being developed, and we may be about to see them become a very common if not the principal statistical technique in our toolbox. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 3-4, October 2013, Pages 105-119
Nima Golijani-Moghaddam | Aidan J P Hart | David L. Dawson
The Implicit Relational Assessment Procedure (IRAP) is a measure of 'implicit cognition' developed on the basis of a contemporary behavioural analysis of language and cognition. The IRAP has now been applied to a range of foci over 5 years of published research. A frequently-cited caveat in publications to date is the need for further research to gauge the reliability and validity of the IRAP as an implicit measure. This review paper will provide a critical synthesis of available evidence for reliability and validity. The review applies a multifaceted test-theory approach to validity, and reliability is assessed through meta-analysis of published data. The discussion critically considers reviewed IRAP evidence with reference to the extant literature on alternative implicit measures, limitations of studies to date, and broader conceptual issues. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2014, Pages 51-64
Mieke Heyvaert | Patrick Onghena
A single-case experimental design is a research design that can be used to evaluate the effect of an intervention for a single entity. There are two important schedules to include randomization into the design of single-case experiments: phase designs and alternation designs. We present these two schedules and provide a detailed example for each schedule. For both examples, we illustrate the use of a free software package that assists researchers in designing and analyzing single-case experiments using randomization tests. Furthermore, we discuss several additions (simultaneous and sequential replication designs; meta-analysis of single-case experimental studies) and alternatives (statistical and visual analysis methods). © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 55-65
Evan M. Forman | James D. Herbert | Adrienne S. Juarascio | Peter D. Yeomans | John A. Zebell | Elizabeth M. Goetter | Ethan Moitra
Defusion, the ability to achieve psychological distance from internal experiences such as thoughts and feelings, is considered to be a key mechanism of cognitive behavior therapy and is particularly emphasized in certain acceptance-based behavior therapies like mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Unlike other treatment components such as cognitive restructuring, however, defusion has been less well studied as a potential mediator of change. One reason for this lack of attention is the absence of a well-validated measure of defusion. Current measures confound defusion with other related, yet distinct, constructs such as psychological acceptance or mindful awareness. One challenge in measuring defusion is that the meaning of the construct is not readily apparent to respondents. The current study reports on a new measure, the Drexel defusion scale (DDS), by providing information about its development, reliability, and validity. Results from several samples indicate that the measure is unidimensional, with good internal consistency. The DDS is highly correlated with measures of acceptance and decentering, suggesting high convergent validity. Higher scores on the DDS are also associated with less psychopathology and a higher quality of life, even after controlling for measures of similar constructs, indicating that the DDS provides incremental validity beyond existing measures. Additionally, among a treatment-seeking sample, increases in the DDS were associated with improvements in psychological functioning, for both those receiving ACT and CT treatment. The DDS appears to be a reliable and valid measure of defusion. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 3-4, October 2013, Pages 79-84
Jared A. Chase | Ramona A. Houmanfar | Steven Hayes | Todd A. Ward | Jennifer Plumb Vilardaga | Victoria M. Follette
Goal-setting programs sometimes are defined to include personal values exploration but to date, without specifically testing the impact of values training as an element of the overall package. The present study examined the impact of online goal-setting training with and without personal values exploration (drawn from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) on a measure of undergraduate academic performance (GPA). Psychology majors in their second year or beyond were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three conditions: goal-setting training alone, values training plus goal-setting training, and a waitlist. The use of anonymous institutional data allowed non-respondent majors to be included as a non-randomized, non-responders control condition. Participants were exposed to web-based content delivered via media clips and text with questions covering the material presented. After one semester, waitlist participants also received the values training plus goal-setting training. Analyses showed that the combination of goal setting and values training significantly improved GPAs over the next semester. Goal setting alone had no effect as compared to either the wait list or non-randomized, non-responders control condition. Additional research will be needed to determine why values exploration is helpful in enhancing academic performance. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 3-4, October 2013, Pages 120-134
Carmen Luciano | Sonsoles Valdivia-Salas | Francisco José Ruiz | Miguel Rodríguez-Valverde | Dermot Barnes-Holmes | Michael J. Dougher | Francisco Ruiz Cabello | Vanessa Sánchez | Yvonne Barnes-Holmes | Olga Gutiérrez
Exposure techniques rely on the assumption that the extinction of the classically conditioned response (i.e., fear) will result in the disruption of limiting forms of avoidance behavior, both directly trained and derived/indirectly established. This report presents translational research that attempts to test this assumption in laboratory conditions in two experiments with human volunteers. The procedure in both experiments included six phases: (1) conditional discrimination training for the formation of two 6-member equivalence classes; (2) classical conditioning of elicited responses to Class 1 (A1/B1) and Class 2 (A2/B2) members in the white context, followed by conditioning of avoidance/approach responses to Class 1/Class 2 members, respectively, in the green context; (3) test for the transfer of avoidance/approach functions and of eliciting respondent functions to D1/F1 and D2/F2 in the green context; (4) extinction of classically conditioned responses to A1/B1 in the white context; (5) test of the effects of respondent extinction on avoidance responding to the A, B, D, and F stimuli in the green context; and (6) test of derived symmetry and equivalence relations. Results show that after successful respondent extinction in the white context, only 33.3% participants stopped showing avoidance behavior in the green context, and that respondent elicitation was reinstalled during the test (Phase 5). In Phase 4 of Experiment 2, in addition to undergoing respondent extinction, participants were instructed that the white and green contexts were similar. Results show that after successful respondent extinction in the white context during Phase 4, only 10% participants stopped showing avoidance behavior in the green context, and that respondent elicitation was almost eliminated during the test (Phase 5). We discuss these findings and their applied implications. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 39-42
David Sloan Loan Wilson
The Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) is one of the many islands in an archipelago of human-related disciplines that are largely isolated from each other. Evolution provides a unifying theoretical framework that can unite the Ivory Archipelago, achieving the goal of consilience, or unity of knowledge. ACBS can both gain from and contribute to this integration, which is already in progress. © 2012.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 66-72
Erica L. England | James D. Herbert | Evan M. Forman | Stephanie J. Rabin | Adrienne S. Juarascio | Stephanie P. Goldstein
Public speaking anxiety (PSA), diagnosed at clinical levels as social anxiety disorder, nongeneralized type, is associated with significant distress and impairment in a substantial portion of the population (Aderka et al., 2012). Empirically supported behavioral treatments for PSA generally include in vivo and/or simulated exposure, usually presented with some form of rationale or context (e.g., habituation). Newer acceptance-based therapies frame exposure as an opportunity to increase one's willingness to experience anxiety, while engaging in valued behaviors. The present study examined the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary effectiveness of acceptance-based exposure treatment for PSA compared to standard habituation-based exposure in a clinical population. Treatment was delivered in a group format over 6 weekly sessions. Participants receiving acceptance-based exposure (ABE) were significantly more likely than those receiving habituation-based exposure (HAB) to achieve diagnostic remission by 6-week follow-up. Those in the ABE condition rated this intervention equally acceptable and credible compared to participants receiving the habituation-based approach, and improvement on other outcome measures was comparable across conditions. Participants in both groups demonstrated significant and equivalent improvement on measures of public-speaking-related cognitions, confidence, and social skills. Baseline levels of mindful awareness moderated change in public-speaking-related cognitions across conditions, and baseline defusion moderated change in state anxiety for the ABE condition only. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 73-82
Nic Hooper | Ian D. Stewart | Cormac Duffy | Gary P. Freegard | Louise A. McHugh
The current study sought to provide an empirical model of the direct and indirect effects of thought suppression on personal choice. In Experiment 1 (direct effect) participants were required to make a preference on a dichotomous choice task. After making their choice they were instructed to repeat the selection task while suppressing all thoughts of a target word which was programmed to appear each time they selected their originally preferred item. Results showed that participants gradually changed their original preference to avoid coming into contact with the target unwanted thought. Experiment 2 (indirect effect) extended Experiment 1 by examining whether a similar effect might be seen via trained and derived relations respectively and by comparing possible effects seen in original target, trained and derived conditions with patterns seen in a control condition. In Experiment 2 participants in each of four groups (target, trained, derived and control) were first trained and tested for the formation of three derived equivalence relations using a match-to-sample procedure. They then received exposure to suppression and choice phases similar to the protocol employed in Experiment 1. However this protocol differed in terms of the presence or absence of a stimulus that might function to depress value congruent choice and it differed also in terms of the nature of the stimulus (i.e., target, trained or derived). Findings showed that participants in each of the three experimental conditions demonstrated depressed values choice in comparison with the control condition. Implications and future research directions are discussed. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 49-54
Akihiko Masuda | Robert D. Latzman
The present cross-sectional study investigated whether self-concealment and psychological flexibility were uniquely associated with different facets of disordered eating (DE; i.e., dieting, bulimia/food preoccupation, and oral control) and whether these associations varied across gender. Participants included 621 female and 212 male college students, ages 18-24 years old. After controlling for age, ethnicity, and BMI, both self-concealment and psychological flexibility were uniquely related to dieting. Controlling for these demographic variables, psychological flexibility, but not self-concealment, was uniquely associated with bulimia/food preoccupation. Neither self-concealment nor psychological flexibility was uniquely associated with oral control. Finally, gender moderated the association between self-concealment and dieting, suggesting that self-concealment was relevant to dieting in the female group, but not in the male group. Limitations of the study and future directions are discussed. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 1-2, April 2013, Pages 49-57
Sara J. Landes | Jonathan W. Kanter | Cristal E. Weeks | Andrew M. Busch
Basic behavioral principles (e.g., reinforcement) are compelling candidates for research isolating and evaluating psychotherapy mechanisms of change in contextual behavioral science. Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is a contextual behavioral treatment approach that teaches therapists to employ behavioral principles, including the evocation of and contingent responding with reinforcement to client behavior live in session, as its hypothesized mechanism of change. FAP also facilitates generalization of in-session improvements to out-of-session contexts. This study evaluated the effect of the active components of FAP - evoking behavior, contingently responding to behavior, and generalizing improvement - on individual target variables of four clients in an A/A+B design. Relationship building aspects of FAP occurred in the A phase; active components were added in the A+B phase. All clients showed changes in target variables after the phase shift per visual inspection, with largely consistent results using simulation modeling analysis. One client dropped out of treatment after the phase shift. Results provide support for FAP's active components as causing the desired changes and move the research closer to isolating specific behavioral principles as the mechanism of change in FAP. Limitations and cautions are discussed. © 2013.
Volume 3, Issue 1, January 2014, Pages 45-50
Shawn N. Katterman | Stephanie P. Goldstein | Meghan L. Butryn | Evan M. Forman | Michael R. Lowe
Young adult women, particularly those attending college, may be at risk for future weight gain. The current study examined the efficacy of a brief acceptance-based behavioral approach in facilitating weight gain prevention in female college students with a body mass index between 23 and 32kg/m2. Fifty-eight participants were randomized to an intervention group who attended 8 group sessions over 16 weeks (n=29), or an assessment-only control group (n=29) and completed assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, post-intervention, and 1 year. Group sessions taught behavioral (e.g., monitor weight, calories, and exercise) and acceptance-based (e.g., distress tolerance, acceptance of cravings) strategies that could be applied for weight loss or weight gain prevention. The intervention resulted in a decrease in weight and body mass index of 1.57kg and 0.52kg/m2 (respectively) at 16 weeks that was maintained at 1 year follow up (M=-2.24kg, M=-0.74kg/m2) whereas the control group gained 1.07kg and 0.34kg/m2 over the year. Results indicate that a brief acceptance-based behavioral intervention may be effective for a group who appears to be at risk for future weight gain and further research is needed to determine mechanisms of change. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume , Issue , July 2014, Page
Sue Clarke | Jessica Kingston | Kirsty James | Helen Bolderston | Bob Remington
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a theoretically coherent approach addressing common processes across a range of disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a group-based ACT intervention for "treatment-resistant" participants with various diagnoses, who had already completed at least one psychosocial intervention. Of 61 individuals randomized into a service-based trial comparing ACT and Treatment as Usual based on Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TAU-CBT), 45 provided data (ACT n=26; TAU-CBT n=19). Primary outcomes were measures of psychological symptoms. All participants showed reduced symptoms immediately after intervention but improvements were more completely sustained in the ACT group at 6-month follow-up. More elaborate and more fully controlled evaluations are required to confirm the findings, improve understanding of ACT processes and assess health economic benefits. © 2014.
Volume 2, Issues 1-2, April 2013, Pages 31-38
Nazanin H. Bahraini | Maria D. Devore | Lindsey L. Monteith | Jeri E. Forster | Stephen Bensen | Lisa A. Brenner
Recent studies highlight the need for increased understanding of risk and protective factors for suicidal thoughts and behaviors among Veterans. Although personal values have been studied in regard to psychological well-being, the degree to which suicidal ideation relates to difficulties successfully living according to one's values or identifying values that are important has yet to be examined in civilian or Veteran populations. One hundred and twenty-two Veterans at an urban medical center completed the Survey of Life Principles (SLP; Ciarrochi & Bailey, 2008), a measure of personal values across several life domains, and the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSS; Beck & Steer, 1993). Electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain medical histories. As hypothesized, both the ability to identify values and engage in behavior consistent with values were associated with decreased odds of reporting suicidal ideation, controlling for past suicidal behavior, history of mental health treatment, and psychiatric co-morbidity. Findings suggest that the role of different value dimensions as potential protective factors for suicidal ideation in the Veteran population may warrant further exploration. © 2013.
Volume 2, Issues 1-2, April 2013, Pages 9-14
James I. Gerhart | Nicole M. Heath | Carey J. Fitzgerald | Michael P. Hoerger
The ability to delay gratification and wait for larger long-term rewards is crucial for maximizing outcomes in commonly valued areas of living such as career, health, and relationships. Past research suggests that emotional distress impairs this ability to delay gratification. Research also indicates that persons who exhibit higher levels of experiential avoidance, the tendency to negatively evaluate and avoid emotion and cognition, tend to report higher levels of distress. There is limited research to date on the direct or indirect relationships between experiential avoidance and delay of gratification. The current study was designed to assess these relationships in order to integrate findings from the literature on experiential avoidance and delay of gratification. Two hundred and two university students provided ratings of their experiential avoidance, depression, anger, and delay of gratification. Results indicated these variables were moderately and significantly correlated. Path analysis suggested that experiential avoidance has a direct relationship with delay of gratification, and an indirect relationship through higher depression and anger. These findings suggest that acceptance-based behavior therapies that reduce experiential avoidance and distress may potentially enhance delay of gratification. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 3, Issue 2, January 2014, Pages 81-88
Debra M. Glick | Daniel J. Millstein | Susan M. Orsillo
Estimates of the prevalence of academic procrastination are troublesome given the negative associations among procrastination, academic performance, and psychological and physical well-being. Multiple theories aimed at understanding factors that cause and maintain procrastination have been proposed, but none fully account for this problematic behavior. We hypothesize that procrastination can be understood as reflecting a state of psychological inflexibility, characterized by several processes, including experiential avoidance (i.e., attempts to avoid or escape from unpleasant internal experiences), diminished present moment awareness (i.e., diminished mindfulness), and difficulty articulating and engaging in valued activities.The goal of the current studies was to explore the potential association between psychological inflexibility and procrastination. Two samples of students completed measures of trait procrastination, trait anxiety, and psychological flexibility. As predicted, procrastination was positively associated with anxiety and negatively associated with psychological flexibility. In addition, psychological inflexibility added to the prediction of procrastination over the contribution of trait anxiety. Implications for increased understanding of, and interventions for, procrastination are discussed. © 2014 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 1, Issues 1-2, December 2012, Pages 43-48
Robert A. Epstein
Answers to a final-exam question about slapping a crying baby provide a good indication of just how well students understand the difference between classical and operant conditioning. Unfortunately, the author has found that relatively few students in introductory courses on learning or behavior are able to answer this question correctly. This may be true because of how instructors and textbooks teach about operant and classical conditioning, and it may also be true because of the subtle ways in which these procedures overlap. The exam question, which is theoretical, is related to a practical problem that parents of infants face every day: when a baby is crying, should we ignore the crying or pick up and comfort the baby? Although this issue is still debated among parenting experts and although parents rarely behave optimally in this situation, behavior analysis offers a clear and unequivocal solution to the probaor. © 2012 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 3, Issue 2, January 2014, Pages 138-147
Gareth I. Holman | Kelly Koerner
There remains great potential for collaborative, participatory advancement of research through the generation of Single-case designs (SCD) by contextual behavioral practitioners working in applied settings. Development of such communities of applied scientists is core to the vision of contextual behavioral science (CBS). Beyond their contributions to science, SCD may also serve a useful role in clinical practice as means of validating clinical decisions, trouble-shooting treatment failures, and overall building competency in the kind of clinical decision-making that is a hallmark of the CBS clinician. This article is not a thorough review of SCD methodology; instead it provides an overview of issues related to implementation of SCD in outpatient psychotherapy practice, supplementing the many excellent methodological reviews already available and updating previous arguments about the value of this approach for our contemporary context. © 2014 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.
Volume 2, Issues 3-4, October 2013, Pages 61-67
Douglas M. Long
This paper examines some practical implications of philosophy for psychological scientists. A number of methodologists have emphasized the importance of philosophical assumptions in organizing scientific activity. Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS), for example, has been explicitly organized around a form of pragmatism. Beginning with the role of conceptual standards in guiding the theory development, this paper introduces readers to realism and pragmatism as divergent views of scientific progress. The concept of theory-selection criteria is proposed as a useful way of understanding the practical implications stemming from realism and pragmatism. Psychometric construct validity, and inter-theory construct coherency are examined as examples. It is proposed that while realists tend to treat construct validity and theory unification as necessary and sufficient indicators of progress, pragmatists tend to treat these qualities as only potentially progressive. Directions for future philosophical writing are suggested. © 2013 Association for Contextual Behavioral Science.