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Think ACT 2.0
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that uses acceptance and mindfulness strategies mixed in different ways with commitment and behavior-change strategies, to increase psychological flexibility.
The extended evolutionary meta-model (EEMM) of ACT builds upon this foundation by integrating principles from evolutionary science, particularly from the field of evolutionary psychology, to provide a broader framework for understanding human behavior and psychopathology.
While ACT was the pioneer in identifying six major processes that we should be looking for and addressing, the EEMM expands upon this making the overall approach even that more robust.
Here’s a detailed description of the EEMM:
Core Principles of the EEMM in ACT
1. Evolutionary Adaptation:
The EEMM posits that human psychological processes are deeply rooted in evolutionary adaptations. Many of our cognitive, emotional, and behavioral tendencies have evolved to enhance our ancestors' survival and reproduction.
This perspective helps explain why certain maladaptive behaviors and thought patterns (e.g., anxiety, avoidance) persist despite their negative impact on modern life.
2. Contextual Behavioral Science (CBS):
CBS is a scientific discipline that combines principles from behavioral psychology with an understanding of the contextual and environmental factors influencing behavior.
The EEMM uses CBS to understand how evolutionary adaptations manifest in current contexts and how they can be shaped or reshaped by environmental contingencies.
3. Psychological Flexibility:
At the heart of ACT is the concept of psychological flexibility, which refers to the ability to stay in contact with the present moment, and based on the situation, to persist or change behavior in the pursuit of valued goals.
The EEMM emphasizes the evolutionary origins of psychological flexibility, suggesting that it is an adaptive trait that can be cultivated to improve mental health and well-being.
Components of the EEMM
1. Functional Contextualism:
This approach focuses on understanding behavior in the context of its environment, rather than in isolation. It examines how behavior functions in specific contexts and how it can be altered by changing these contexts.
2. Relational Frame Theory (RFT):
RFT is a theoretical framework that explains how humans learn language and cognition through relational associations. It posits that our ability to relate different pieces of information in complex ways is a fundamental aspect of human cognition.
The EEMM incorporates RFT to explain how cognitive processes (e.g., thinking, reasoning) can contribute to psychological inflexibility and how they can be targeted in therapy.
3. Mindfulness and Acceptance:
These strategies involve embracing thoughts and feelings without judgment, fostering a present-focused awareness.
The EEMM highlights the evolutionary basis for these strategies, suggesting that mindfulness and acceptance practices can help counteract maladaptive evolutionary tendencies.
4. Commitment and Behavior Change:
Commitment involves making and keeping commitments to actions that align with personal values.
Behavior change strategies in ACT focus on encouraging actions that are consistent with one’s values, despite the presence of difficult thoughts and feelings.
Implications of the EEMM
1. Understanding Psychopathology:
The EEMM provides a framework for understanding how evolutionary adaptations can lead to maladaptive behavior patterns in modern environments. For example, anxiety might have evolved as a survival mechanism but can become debilitating in a context where threats are less immediate and more abstract.
If we can see the underlying processes that lead to pathological outcomes, it becomes easier to target the source and select the right intervention.
2. Therapeutic Interventions:
By incorporating evolutionary principles, therapists can develop more effective interventions that address the root causes of psychological inflexibility. This might involve helping clients understand the evolutionary origins of their behaviors and thoughts, and then using ACT principles to foster more adaptive patterns.
This also allows for increased flexibility for the clinician since it draws from their current base of knowledge yet tailored to fit the specific situation, allowing a clinician to truly be authentic in what they might choose since there are many possible interventions that would be suitable.
3. Holistic Approach:
The EEMM encourages a holistic view of human behavior, integrating biological, psychological, and environmental factors. This can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of clients’ issues and more nuanced therapeutic strategies.
As you can see here, this Processed Based approach goes beyond even the initial stance of ACT, enriching traditional frameworks by integrating insights from evolutionary science, providing a deeper understanding of human behavior and psychopathology, and guiding the development of more effective therapeutic interventions.
While there is a lot to consider when it comes to this, be rest assured that starting with ACT is as good a place as any. This is meant to supplement the journey or add to it once a certain level of expertise is gained.
I will also be writing up little summaries of the EEMM dimensions if future articles to help broaden the understanding of this framework as well, so you need not worry about having to learn it all at once.
Wishing you all well,
Todd
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