Several hundred studies have explored many testable aspects and implications of the theory[3] such as the emergence of specific frames in childhood,[4] how individual frames can be combined to create verbally complex phenomena such as metaphors and analogies,[5] and how the rigidity or automaticity of relating within certain domains is related to psychopathology.
[6] In attempting to describe a fundamental building block of human language and higher cognition, RFT explicitly states that its goal is to provide a general theory of psychology that can provide a bedrock for multiple domains and levels of analysis.
Relational frame theory focuses on how humans learn language (i.e., communication) through interactions with the environment and is based on a philosophical approach referred to as functional contextualism.
It is rooted in functional contextualism and focused on predicting and influencing verbal behavior with precision, scope and depth.
[9] In human language a word, sentence or a symbol (e.g. stimulus) can have a different meaning (e.g. functions), depending on context.
The stimulus "cake" has a figurative function in the presence of the contextual cues "this task; is; piece of".
Whereas in the presence of the contextual cues "I; would like; delicious; you've made" the stimulus "cake" has a more literal function.
In terms of RFT it is said that the relation between the word cow and the actual animal is arbitrarily applied.
[18] Behavior analysis has long been extended as well to animal training, business and school settings, as well as hospitals and areas of research.
RFT distinguishes itself from Skinner's work by identifying and defining a particular type of operant conditioning known as arbitrarily applicable derived relational responding (AADRR).
Derived relational responding has also been shown to alter other behavioral processes such as classical conditioning, an empirical result that RFT theorists point to in explaining why relational operants modify existing behavioristic interpretations of complex human behavior.
Empirical advances have also been made by RFT researchers in the analysis and understanding of such topics as metaphor, perspective taking, and reasoning.
Rather the controversy seems to revolve around whether RFT is a positive step forward, especially given that its implications seem to go beyond many existing interpretations and extensions from within this intellectual tradition.
[21] RFT has been argued to be central to the development of the psychotherapeutic tradition known as acceptance and commitment therapy and clinical behavior analysis more generally.
[22] Indeed, the psychologist Steven C Hayes was involved with the creation of both acceptance and commitment therapy and RFT, and has credited them as inspirations for one another.
[23] However, the extent and exact nature of the interaction between RFT as basic behavioral science and applications such as ACT has been an ongoing point of discussion within the field.
Stitt observes that adults struggling with gender related issues within themselves, often hyperfocus on causal frames in an attempt to explain gender variance, or frames of comparison and distinction, potentially resulting in feelings of isolation and alienation.
[26] RFT provides conceptual and procedural guidance for enhancing the cognitive and language development capability (through its detailed treatment and analysis of derived relational responding and the transformation of function) of early intensive behavior intervention (EIBI) programs for young children with autism and related disorders.
[19] The Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge (PEAK) Relational Training System is heavily influenced by RFT.
For example, in 2011, Hayes presented at a seminar at Binghamton, on the topic of "Symbolic Behavior, Behavioral Psychology, and the Clinical Importance of Evolution Science",[28] while Wilson likewise presented at a symposium at the annual conference in Parma, Italy, of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, the parent organization sponsoring RFT research, on the topic of "Evolution for Everyone, Including Contextual Psychology".
[29] Hayes, Wilson, and colleagues have recently linked RFT to the concept of a symbotype[30] and an evolutionarily sensible way that relational framing could have developed has been described.