Constructs and events in verbal behavior

Constructs, Events, and Acceptance and Commitment Training

The present article considers acceptance and commitment training (ACT) from the perspective of interbehavioral psychology. Specifically, J. R. Kantor's (1957) explicit distinction between constructs and events is reviewed, with particular attention given to the use of ACT in the practice settings of applied behavior analysis. It is recommended that practitioners be especially sensitive to the distinction between constructs and events as they consider employing ACT interventions. The interbehavioral field construct of interbehavioral psychology is briefly described as a context for conceptualizing both practice and research related to ACT in behavior analysis. Related conceptual issues, especially issues pertaining to the subject matter of behavior analysis and the Skinnerian concept of private events, are considered. The potential value of further integrating interbehavioral thinking into ACT practice and research is described.