Relational frame theory (R.F.T) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (A.C.T.) Emperor ´s Tailors or Knights of the Holy Grail? Relational Frame Theory (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes

Abstract

Relational Frame Theory (Hayes, Barnes-Holmes et Roche, 2001) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Hayes, Strosahl et Wilson 1999) are the two sides of a recent proposition about human language and cognition analysis: Relational Frame Theory analysis and explains the phenomena of interest on a theoretical ground, offering a framework to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, the clinical side, and thus affording it to better develop its practical implications. The authors insist both on their neobehaviorist roots, inspired as they are by Kantor and Skinner, and on their ability to cope with areas that were previously investigated mostly by congnitivists models: we question the legitimacy of some of their claims. We evoke their insistence on the role of context, a feature similar to others authors that consider communication as a process too. We also underline that Hayes and colleagues are nevertheless strong proponents of some main principles of behavior analysis. We conclude by mentioning the promises but also the dangers of the authotrs´conceptual choices, and use two metaphoric tales (Andersen´s Emperor ´s New suit and that of famous Knights of the Holy Grail) to illustrate some of our general conclusions.