Defusion in ACT: Understanding the Power of Language
MidAmerican Psychological Institute
Pickslyde Consulting
Key Points
- Words affect human behavior.
- Defusion teaches people to have a different relationship with thoughts and undermines unhelpful language processes.
- Defusion exercises are often used psychoeducationally and do not aim to completely eradicate the influence of words outright.
Materials Downloads
Transcript
Words are powerful. We know that through experience and we also know that through behavioral science. To have a life well lived, to be more psychologically flexible, it is helpful to understand how powerful language is on your own behavior and emotions and how that power can be reduced by your own personal skills. Let’s talk about how powerful language is first.
Take a look at this lemon. Notice it there. It’s a really juicy lemon. It’s overripe, really bright yellow. When you shake it, you could feel how much juice is on the inside and you could thud it down on a cutting board or a table.
