Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Values: A Core Guiding Principle for Behavior-Analytic Intervention and Research

  • SI: Acceptance and Commitment Training in Behavior Analysis
  • Published:
Behavior Analysis in Practice Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Values represent qualities or beliefs that are of high priority to individuals or society and represent one of the core processes within acceptance and commitment therapy or training (ACT or ACTr). The current article discusses values and valuing not only as a centralized process in ACT but also as a core process guiding the field of applied behavior analysis with applications that extend across several intervention domains. A relational frame theory model of values as hierarchical frames that augment reinforcing functions that can influence socially meaningful behavior change is reviewed. This basic model is then extended to encompass temporal, deictic, and causal frames. Values-based intervention research is emerging in areas such as guided decision making, professional development, organizational behavior management, parent training, and treatment plans for children and adults. Although this research is promising, more work is needed to further explore the role of values and valuing within ACT, and when they are used within other intervention strategies. Several potential avenues for future research that may aid in the development of values-based intervention by behavior analysts and extend the scope of our field and practice are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atkins, P. W. B., Wilson, D. S., & Hayes, S. C. (2019). Prosocial: Using evolutionary science to build productive, equitable, and collaborative groups. Context Press.

  • Baer, D. M., Wolf, M. M., & Risley, T. R. (1968). Some current dimensions of applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1, 91–97. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1968.1-91.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Barnes-Holmes, Y., Barnes-Holmes, D., McHugh, L., & Hayes, S. C. (2004). Relational frame theory: Some implications for understanding and treating human psychopathology. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 4, 355–375.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barney, J. L., Lillis, J., Haynos, A. F., Forman, E., & Juarascio, A. S. (2019). Assessing the valuing process in acceptance and commitment therapy: Experts’ review of the current status and recommendations for future measure development. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 225–233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.08.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Barrett, K., O’Connor, M., & McHugh, L. (2019). A systematic review of values-based psychometric tools within acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The Psychological Record, 69, 457–485. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-019-00352-7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biglan, A., & Barnes-Holmes, Y. (2015). Acting in light of the future: How do future-oriented cultural practices evolve and how can we accelerate their evolution? Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 4, 184–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2015.06.002.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Blackledge, J. T. (2003). An introduction to relational frame theory: Basics and applications. The Behavior Analyst Today, 3, 421–433. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0099997.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blackledge, J. T., & Hayes, S. C. (2006). Using acceptance and commitment training in the support of parents of children diagnosed with autism. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 28, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1300/J019v28n01_01.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bond, F. W., Hayes, S. C., & Barnes-Holmes, D. (2006). Psychological flexibility, ACT, and organizational behavior. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 26, 25–54.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, F. L., Whittingham, K., Boyd, R. N., McKinlay, L., & Sofronoff, K. (2015). Does Stepping Stones Triple P plus acceptance and commitment therapy improve parent, couple, and family adjustment following pediatric acquired brain injury? A randomised controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 73, 58–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2015.07.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Castro, M., Rehfeldt, R. A., & Root, W. B. (2016). On the role of values clarification and committed actions in enhancing the engagement of direct care workers with clients with severe developmental disorders. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5, 201–207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.09.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chase, J. A., Houmanfar, R., Hayes, S. C., Ward, T. A., Vilardaga, J. P., & Follette, V. (2013). Values are not just goals: Online ACT-based values training adds to goal setting in improving undergraduate college student performance. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 2, 79–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.08.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Coyne, L. W., McHugh, L., & Martinez, E. R. (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT): Advances and applications with children, adolescents, and families. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics, 20, 379–399. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2011.01.010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, J. (2015). Valuing in ACT. Current Opinion in Psychology, 2, 43–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dahl, J., Lundgren, T., Plumb, J., & Stewart, I. (2009). The art and science of valuing in psychotherapy: Helping clients discover, explore, and commit to valued action using acceptance and commitment therapy. New Harbinger Publications.

  • Dixon, M. R. (2014). ACT for children with autism and emotional challenges. Shawnee Scientific Press.

  • Dixon, M. R., & Paliliunas, D. (2017). Accept. Shawnee Scientific Press.

  • Dixon, M. R., Hayes, S. C., Stanley, C., Law, S., & al-Nasser, T. (2020). Is acceptance and commitment training or therapy (ACT) a method that applied behavior analysts can and should use? The Psychological Record. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40732-020-00436-9.

  • Dymond, S., & Rehfeldt, R. A. (2000). Understanding complex behavior: The transformation of stimulus functions. The Behavior Analyst, 23, 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392013.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Engle, J. L., & Follette, V. M. (2018). An experimental comparison of two acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) values exercises to increase values-oriented behavior. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 10, 31–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.08.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fang, S., & Ding, D. (2020). A meta-analysis of the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for children. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 15, 225–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.01.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Firestone, J., Cardaciotto, L., Levin, M. E., Goldbacher, E., Vernig, P., & Gambrel, L. E. (2019). A web-based self-guided program to promote valued-living in college students: A pilot study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 29-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.01.004.

  • Fitzpatrick, M., Henson, A., Grumet, R., Poolokasingham, G., Foa, C., Comeau, T., & Prendergast, C. (2016). Challenge, focus, inspiration, and support: Processes of values clarification and congruence. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5, 7–15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2016.02.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fong, E. H., Catagnus, R. M., Brodhead, M. T., Quigley, S., & Field, S. (2016). Developing the cultural awareness skills of behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 84–94. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0111-6.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Gil, E., Ruiz, F. J., Luciano, C., & Valdivia-Salas, S. (2012). A preliminary demonstration of transformation of functions through hierarchical relations. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 12, 1–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gil, E., Ruiz, F. J., Luciano, C., & Valdivia-Salas, S. (2014). A further experimental step in the analysis of hierarchical responding. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 14, 137–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gould, E. R., Tarbox, J., & Coyne, L. (2018). Evaluating the effects of acceptance and commitment training on the overt behavior of parents of children with autism. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 7, 81–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2017.06.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hahs, A. D., Dixon, M. R., & Paliliunas, D. (2019). Randomized controlled trial of a brief acceptance and commitment training for parents of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 154–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.03.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hanley, G. P. (2010). Toward effective and preferred programming: A case for the objective measurement of social validity with recipients of behavior-change programs. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 3, 13–21. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03391754.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Harte, C., Barnes-Holmes, D., Barnes-Holmes, Y., & Kissi, A. (2020). The study of rule-governed behavior and derived stimulus relations: Bridging the gap. Perspectives on Behavior Science, 43, 361–385. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40614-020-00256-w.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, L. L., & Ciarrochi, J. V. (2015). The thriving adolescent: Using acceptance and commitment therapy and positive psychology to help teens manage emotions, achieve goals, and build connection. New Harbinger Publications.

  • Hayes, S. C., Kohlenberg, B., & Hayes, L. J. (1991). The transfer of specific and general consequential functions through simple and conditional equivalence relations. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 56, 119–137. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.1991.56-119.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Roche, B. (2001). Relational frame theory: A post-Skinnerian account of human language and cognition. Springer Science & Business Media.

  • Hayes, S. C., Strosahl, K. D., & Wilson, K. G. (2011). Acceptance and commitment therapy: The process and practice of mindful change. Guilford Press.

  • Hayes, S. C., Hofmann, S. G., Stanton, C. E., Carpenter, J. K., Sanford, B. T., Curtiss, J. E., & Ciarrochi, J. (2019). The role of the individual in the coming era of process-based therapy. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 117, 40–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2018.10.005.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, S. C., Hofmann, S. G., & Stanton, C. E. (2020). Process-based functional analysis can help behavioral science step up to novel challenges: COVID-19 as an example. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 18, 128–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.08.009.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Herbst, S. A., & Houmanfar, R. (2009). Psychological approaches to values in organizations and organizational behavior management. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 29, 47–68. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608060802714210.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann, A. N., Contreras, B. P., Clay, C. J., & Twohig, M. P. (2016). Acceptance and commitment therapy for individuals with disabilities: A behavior analytic strategy for addressing private events in challenging behavior. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 14–24. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0105-4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, V. D., Rehfeldt, R. A., & Root, W. B. (2019). Exploring the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy and behavioral skills training to teach interview skills to adults with autism spectrum disorders. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 3, 450–456. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41252-019-00136-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ju, W. C., & Hayes, S. C. (2008). Verbal establishing stimuli: Testing the motivative effect of stimuli in a derived relation with consequences. The Psychological Record, 58, 339–363. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03395623.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kashdan, T. B., & Rottenberg, J. (2010). Psychological flexibility as a fundamental aspect of health. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 865–878. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2010.03.001.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, A. M., Czech, S. J., & Orsillo, S. M. (2014). Putting values into words: An examination of the text characteristics of values articulation. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 3, 16–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2013.11.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leigland, S. (2005). Variables of which values are a function. The Behavior Analyst, 28, 133–142. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392109.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Little, A., Tarbox, J., & Alzaabi, K. (2020). Using acceptance and commitment training to enhance the effectiveness of behavioral skills training. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 16, 9–16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2020.02.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lundgren, T., Luoma, J. B., Dahl, J., Strosahl, K., & Melin, L. (2012). The Bull’s-Eye Values Survey: A psychometric evaluation. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice, 19(4), 518–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2012.01.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lunsky, Y., Fung, K., Lake, J., Steel, L., & Bryce, K. (2018). Evaluation of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for mothers of children and youth with autism spectrum disorder. Mindfulness, 9, 1110–1116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-017-0846-3.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maraccini, A. M., Houmanfar, R. A., & Szarko, A. J. (2016). Motivation and complex verbal phenomena: Implications for organizational research and practice. Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, 36, 282–300. https://doi.org/10.1080/01608061.2016.1211062.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moran, D. J., & Ming, S. (2020). The Mindful Action Plan: Using the MAP to apply acceptance and commitment therapy to productivity and self-compassion for behavior analysts. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00441-y.

  • Páez-Blarrina, M., Luciano, C., Gutiérrez-Martínez, O., Valdivia, S., Ortega, J., & Rodríguez-Valverde, M. (2008a). The role of values with personal examples in altering the functions of pain: Comparison between acceptance-based and cognitive-control-based. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 46(1), 84–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2007.10.008.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Páez-Blarrina, M., Luciano, C., Gutiérrez-Martínez, O., Valdivia, S., Rodríguez-Valverde, M., & Ortega, J. (2008b). Coping with pain in the motivational context of values: Comparison between an acceptance-based and a cognitive control–based protocol. Behavior Modification, 32(3), 403–422.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pahnke, J., Hirvikoski, T., Bjureberg, J., Bölte, S., Jokinen, J., Bohman, B., & Lundgren, T. (2019). Acceptance and commitment therapy for autistic adults: An open pilot study in a psychiatric outpatient context. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 13, 34–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.04.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paliliunas, D., Belisle, J., & Dixon, M. R. (2018). A randomized control trial to evaluate the use of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to increase academic performance and psychological flexibility in graduate students. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 11, 241–253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-0252-x.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons, M. B., Bentley, E., Solari, T., & Reid, D. H. (2016). Familiarizing new staff for working with adults with severe disabilities: A case for relationship building. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9, 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-016-0129-9.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pingo, J. C., Dixon, M. R., & Paliliunas, D. (2019). Intervention enhancing effects of acceptance and commitment training on performance feedback for direct support professional work performance, stress, and job satisfaction. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-019-00333-w.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Pingo, J. C., Dixon, M. R., & Paliliunas, D. (2020). An examination of the intervention-enhancing effect of acceptance and commitment therapy–based training on direct service professionals’ performance in the workplace. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-018-00275-9.

  • Plumb, J. C., Stewart, I., Dahl, J., & Lundgren, T. (2009). In search of meaning: Values in modern clinical behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 32, 85–103. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392177.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Reid, D. H., Everson, J. M., & Green, C. W. (1999). A systematic evaluation of preferences identified through person-centered planning for people with profound multiple disabilities. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 32, 467–477. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1999.32-467.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Reilly, E. D., Ritzert, T. R., Scoglio, A. A., Mote, J., Fukuda, S. D., Ahern, M. E., & Kelly, M. M. (2019). A systematic review of values measures in acceptance and commitment therapy research. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 290–304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2018.10.004.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rokeach, M. (1973). The nature of human values. Free Press.

  • Ruiz, F. J. (2010). A review of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) empirical evidence: Correlational, experimental psychopathology, component, and outcome studies. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 10, 125–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruiz, M. R., & Roche, B. (2007). Values and the scientific culture of behavior analysis. The Behavior Analyst, 30, 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392139.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sandoz, E. K., & Hebert, E. R. (2015). Meaningful, reminiscent, and evocative: An initial examination of four methods of selecting idiographic values-relevant stimuli. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 4, 277–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2015.09.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skinner, B. F. (1971). Beyond freedom and dignity. B. F. Skinner Foundation.

  • Slattery, B., & Stewart, I. (2014). Hierarchical classification as relational framing. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 101, 61–75. https://doi.org/10.1002/jeab.63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Slattery, B., Stewart, I., & O’Hora, D. (2011). Testing for transitive class containment as a feature of hierarchical classification. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 96, 243–260. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2011.96-243.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T. G. (2019). Acceptance and commitment training for reducing inflexible behaviors in children with autism. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 178–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcbs.2019.03.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szabo, T. G., Richling, S., Embry, D. D., Biglan, A., & Wilson, K. G. (2020). From helpless to hero: Promoting values-based behavior and positive family interaction in the midst of COVID-19. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13, 568–576. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00431-0.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Tarbox, J., Szabo, T. G., & Aclan, M. (2020). Acceptance and commitment training within the scope of practice of applied behavior analysis. Behavior Analysis in Practice. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-020-00466-3.

  • Törneke, N., Luciano, C., & Salas, S. V. (2008). Rule-governed behavior and psychological problems. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 8(2), 141–156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whelan, R., & Barnes-Holmes, D. (2004a). Empirical models of formative augmenting in accordance with the relations of same, opposite, more-than and less-than. International Journal of Psychology and Psychological Therapy, 4, 285–302.

    Google Scholar 

  • Whelan, R., & Barnes-Holmes, D. (2004b). The transformation of consequential functions in accordance with the relational frames of same and opposite. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 82, 177–195. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2004.82-177.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Whelan, R., Barnes-Holmes, D., & Dymond, S. (2006). The transformation of consequential functions in accordance with the relational frames of more-than and less-than. Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior, 86, 317–335. https://doi.org/10.1901/jeab.2006.113-04.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, K. G., & DuFrene, T. (2009). Mindfulness for two: An acceptance and commitment therapy approach to mindfulness in psychotherapy. New Harbinger Publications.

  • Wilson, K. G., & Murrell, A. R. (2004). Values work in acceptance and commitment therapy. In S. C. Hayes, V. M. Follette, & M. M. Linehan (Eds.), Mindfulness and acceptance: Expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition (pp. 120–151). The Guilford Press.

  • Wilson, K. G., & Sandoz, E. K. (2008). Mindfulness, values, and the therapeutic relationship in acceptance and commitment therapy. In S. F. Hick & T. Bien (Eds.), Mindfulness and the therapeutic relationship (pp. 89–106). The Guilford Press.

Download references

Funding

The author received no financial support for the research, authorship, or publication of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology Department, Missouri State University, 901 S. National Ave, Springfield, MO, USA

    Dana Paliliunas

Authors
  1. Dana Paliliunas
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dana Paliliunas.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The author declares that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional human subjects committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Paliliunas, D. Values: A Core Guiding Principle for Behavior-Analytic Intervention and Research. Behav Analysis Practice 15, 115–125 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00595-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-021-00595-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation