Current issues in the control of complex stimuli and symbolic behavior: contributions from Relational Frame Theory (RFT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Abstract

The visit of Prof. Phd. Carmen Luciano (Effective Teacher and Director Research on Experimental and Applied Analysis of Behavior at Almeria University, Spain) aims to extend a partnership between the research groups of symbolic behavior and on behavioral therapies in Brazil and the group led by Prof. Carmen, in Spain. Along 2010, professionals from Núcleo Paradigma of Behavior Analysis, (represented by Phd. Denis Roberto Zamignani,Ms. Yara Nico and Ms. Roberta Kovac) and the University of São Paulo (represented by Phd. Sonia Meyer), established contact with Carmen Luciano and other members of her research team, exchanging emails and join in discussion groups in order to discuss common interests in research. The name of the Prof. Carmen was contemplated because of her many publications in journals of clinical psychology and behavior analysis on the subjects Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Relational Frame Theory. This exchange of knowledge led Brazilian researchers to invite Dr. Carmen to contribute to ongoing work in Brazil, and request her to present some of the works running under her guidance. Prof. Carmen was in Brazil from 22 to 27 September 2010. In that moment occurred lectures, courses and discussions of research projects at the University of São Paulo and Núcleo Paradigma. Dr. Carmen was also in Campos do Jordao, Brazil, during the XIX Brazilian Meeting of Psychology and Behavioral Medicine. RFT (abbreviation for Relational Frame Theory) was formally presented in 2001, by Hayes, Barnes-Holmes and Roche - and since before that, has presented a new proposal for understanding verbal behavior and symbolic behavior with the conceptual and empirical development of arbitrarily applicable relational responding. Countless research has discussed this type of functioning in many aspects and the research by Prof. Carmen and by Núcleo Paradigma shares interests both in the clinic practice and this theoretical approach. In the clinical area, the ACT (English acronym for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) is, in actuality, a psychotherapy protocol widely recognized. Also in this area, several investigations on the results achieved by its applications in different disorders have been developed. ACT shares similarities with the behavior therapy, most widespread in Brazil, and it is considered that the Prof. Carmen Luciano, with her vast experience will have the opportunity to promote important contributions to research under the guidance of Prof. Denis Zamignani at the Núcleo Paradigma of Behavior Analysis. The program of the visit of Professor. Dr. Carmen Luciano also includes participation in a scientific meeting entitled "Current Issues in the control of complex stimuli and symbolic behavior" (Annex 1) which will bring together researchers in the areas of equivalence, symbolic behavior, RFT and ACT, hopefully broaden the visibility of her visit to Brazil. At other moments, meetings will be held to discuss the research projects and ongoing clinical care at the Núcleo Paradigma, under the guidance of Prof. Denis Roberto Zamignani and Prof.Ms. Robert Kovac and Ms. Yara Nico (Annex 2). It will also be allowed to researchers and professionals interested in ACT to participate on an open workshop. (AU)