A Relational Frame Theory Account of Empathy - …（关系框架理论的同理心,u2026）.pdfVIP

International Journal of Behavioral Consultati on and Therapy Volume 5, No. 2 A Relational Frame Theory Account of Empathy Roger Vilardaga Abstract The current paper proposes a Relational Frame Theory (RFT, Hayes, Barnes -Holmes, Roche, 2001a) conceptualization of empathy and perspective taking that follows previous literature outlining a relationship between those phenomena and general functioning. Deictic framing, a relational operant investigated by RFT researchers, constitutes the behavioral core of perspective taking and empathic concern towards other individuals . Given (a) the recent evidence supporting the importance of deictic framing in the areas of child development and autism and (b) the reported success of several studies in implementing perspective-taking procedures , it is reasonable to conclude that deictic framing is a psychological process that can play an important role in the development of new interventions that can be extended to the adult population and to other human phenomena, such as social coordination, helping behaviors , stigma/prejudice reduction, and clinical problems . Keywords: empathy, deictic framing, perspective taking, RFT, contextual behavioral science, relational responding, social coordination, helping behaviors , clinical problems . The term empathy comes from the Greek “empatheia ” which is a composite of the words “en” and “pathos”, and translates into “being in some sort of suffering, feeling or emotion”. This term was incorporated to western culture by the Germans at the beginning of the 20th century in the context of theories of art appreciation, and it became used in psychology by Titchener as a form of pespective-takin