Applied RFT, Logic & IQ
Underpinning complex language and cognition is a uniquely human behavior that allows us to listen with meaning and speak with understanding. In technical parlance, this learned behavior is called derived relational responding, and it’s critical to language and cognitive development. We are constantly deriving relations between things we see, hear and think, and we do so with such fluency that it almost looks like magic.
It has long been assumed that this magic was the product of genetic good fortune and immutable. However, there is ample evidence in psychological science and neuroscience that support the principles of operant learning by showing that intelligent behavior can be learned.
We are proud to use an Applied RFT Curriculum developed by Dr. Elle Kirsten at Compassionate Behavior Analysis, and the SMART Training games from Drs. Sarah Cassidy and Bryan Roche at Raise Your IQ.
But, in order for us to solve mathematical equations, enjoy prosocial relationships, or develop complex verbal repertoires, creativity, critical thinking, persuasive writing and flexibility, we have to know when and how to manipulate language. These relational skills are learned throughout childhood in tandem with academic and interpersonal skills, and influence all interactions with every aspect of our environment. When kids and teens don’t know how to manipulate language, they can become rigid in their thinking and behavior, and relationships suffer.
In its most mature form, derived relational responding is fundamentally flexible. It’s so flexible that we can use a vast vocabulary to describe our observations of the physical world in conversation or writing. We can also use analogy, metaphor and hierarchy to organize concepts, generate new rules and apply them as strategies to solve complex problems. And, it joins the language of mathematics with our cultural vernacular.
Like so many skills, relational skills can be learned.
Building fluency in relational skills has the following benefits:
Accelerate verbal comprehension.
Accelerate vocabulary.
Accelerate attentional and endurance skills.
Accelerate logical reasoning.
Accelerate the organization of information in memory.
Accelerate numeracy skills in mathematics.
Accelerate interpersonal skills and flexibility in play and leisure, friendship and communication.
Accelerate self-compassion skills, especially when difficult or unwanted thoughts and feelings arise.
Accelerate IQ scores. As a component of a broader battery of assessments and interviews, IQ scores can be useful in making predictions about academic performance.