This infographic gives a simple description of 6 different ways we can relate. A core component of relational frame theory (RFT). This list has been created using a chapter from Dr Joe Oliver and Richard Bennett’s book ‘Acceptance and commitment therapy: 100 key points and techniques‘ which explores the fundamental aspects of ACT, taking the reader through the essentials of behavioural psychology into the principles of RFT and psychological flexibility.
The 6 ways of relating are:
- Co-ordination relations: A basic building block of relational responding and one of the first things we learn as infants. The sentence, ‘This is an apple’ establishes a frame of co-ordination between the sound ‘apple’ and the object it has been paired with.
- Distinction and opposition: If co-ordination is establishing ‘sameness’ between stimuli, distinction is the ability to establish difference, for example distinguishing between an apple and a banana
- Comparison: As we mature, we learn increasingly complex ways of comparing things based on dimension such as size, number, or volume.
- Temporal: An ability to make relations between stimuli and events across time, both in the past and future. It enables us to establish that certain actions will lead to certain consequences (e.g. ‘If I do X then Y will happen’).
- Hierarchical: This is the aptitude for seeing something as ‘a part of’ something else. For example, ACT is a part of CBT, which is a part of psychotherapy, which is a part of healthcare, and so on.
- Deictic: These are relations where additional contextual information is required in order for them to be fully understood. For example, when referring to myself as ‘I’, ‘You’ is needed as a reference point to make the perspective ‘I’ meaningful.
DR JOE OLIVER is a clinical psychologist and director for Contextual Consulting, offering ACT-focused training, supervision and therapy. He is also a program director and associate professor at University College London.
DR RICHARD BENNETT works as a clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioural psychotherapist. He holds a post as an associate professor in psychology at the University of Birmingham, where he leads the postgraduate diploma in cognitive behaviour therapy.
