Defusion: A behavior-analytic strategy for addressing private events
Open accessAbstract
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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Cognitive defusion alters private events' literal meaning and behavior-regulatory function without necessarily changing their shape, frequency, or situational sensitivity.
“Cognitive defusion alters private events’ literal meaning and behavior-regulatory function without necessarily changing their shape, frequency, or situational sensitivity; for example, “Naming your mind,” “I am having the thought that” (21).”
From Effect of applying nursing-based cognitive defusion techniques on mindful awareness, cognitive fusion, and believability of delusions among clients with schizophrenia: a randomized control trial (2024) · cites this paper as [21]
The sections “Defusion: Targeting the Function of Private Events” and “General Guidelines” say that defusion changes the behavioral function of private events, with little concern for changing their form or frequency. The “I Am Having the Thought That . . .” section describes that example and a shift away from responding to a thought literally. Our copy does not establish the claim about unchanged situational sensitivity or identify “Naming your mind” as an example. (LLM, conf=0.82)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredDefusion techniques are designed to interrupt fusion by decreasing the control of rules and increasing contact with direct contingencies.
“Defusion techniques are designed to interrupt fusion by decreasing the control of rules and increasing contact with direct contingencies (21).”
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Flagged first, then by citations
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Gould, E. R., Tarbox, J., & Coyne, L. (2018) · Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science · doi:10.1016/j.jcbs.2017.06.003 · Cited by 110 · see citing works
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“Defusion techniques are designed to interrupt fusion by decreasing the control of rules and increasing contact with direct contingencies (21).”
Background
- Authors
- Snyder, K., Lambert, J., & Twohig, M. P.
- Affiliations
- Utah State University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Twohig, Michael P.
- Venue
- Behavior Analysis in Practice
- Published
- 2011-12
- Volume
- 4
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 4-13
- ISSN
- 1998-1929 (ISSN-L)
- 2196-8934
- PMC
- PMC3357099
- OpenAlex
- W320578822
- Cited by
- 20
- References
- 46
- Citations by year
- 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 1 · 2015: 1
- FWCI
- 0.00
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Behavior Analysis in Practice (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Digital Commons - USU (Utah State University) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Behavioral and Psychological Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- defusion, private events, relational frame theory, behavior analytic interventions, clinical application, behavior analysts
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