Glossary / Lexicon

ACT

ACT or Adaptive Control of Thought. In his ACT model, John Anderson synthesized some of the features of serial information-processing models and some of the features of semantic-network models. In ACT, procedural knowledge is represented in the form of production systems. Declarative knowledge is represented in the form of propositional networks

Description

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of psychotherapy that falls under the umbrella of cognitive-behavioral therapy. It focuses on helping individuals accept their thoughts and feelings, rather than trying to change or control them. The goal of ACT is to increase psychological flexibility through mindfulness, acceptance, and commitment to personal values. This therapy encourages individuals to clarify their values and take action that is in alignment with those values, even in the face of difficult emotions or situations. ACT also helps individuals develop skills to cope with distressing thoughts and feelings in a more adaptive way.

Application Areas

  • Anxiety disorders
  • Depression
  • Substance abuse
  • Chronic pain
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Treatment and Risks

  • Treatment involves working with a therapist to develop mindfulness skills, acceptance of difficult emotions, and commitment to values-based actions.
  • Risks may include feeling uncomfortable with accepting difficult emotions initially, but the therapy aims to help individuals build resilience to such discomfort.

Examples

  • A person with anxiety learns to accept the presence of anxious thoughts and feelings while still engaging in activities that are important to them.
  • Someone with chronic pain practices mindfulness to reduce the impact of pain on their daily life.

Similar Concepts and Synonyms

  • Third-wave cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Mindfulness-based therapy
  • Values-based therapy

Articles with 'ACT' in the title

  • Act of Love: Act of Love: In the psychology context, an "act of love" refers to a behavior or action taken by an individual that is intended to benefit another person, often as a demonstration of their feelings of love or affection
  • Act psychology: Act psychology refers to the type of psychology that emphasizes the study of intact mental acts, such as perceiving and judging, instead of the division of consciousness into elements
  • Adaptive control of thought (ACT) model of memory: Adaptive control of thought (ACT ) model of memory : Adaptive control of thought (ACT) model of memory is a theory of memory developed by John Anderson that specifies a networked memory comprised of working memory, declarative memory, and . . .
  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act: Age Discrimination in Employment Act: Age Discrimination in Employment Act refers to a federal law that, with its amendments, forbids discrimination against an individual who is over the age of 40
  • EPPA (Employee Polygraph Protection Act): EPPA (Employee Polygraph Protection Act) : EPPA whic is the acronym of Employee Polygraph Protection Act) prohibits the use of polygraphs for private sector employment screening
  • Freedom of Information Act: Freedom of Information Act refers to an act recognizing the public's "right to know" information. This law assures the right of individuals to access their federal records
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) : Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) refers to an act which ensures the privacy of client records and the sharing of such information
  • National Research Act: National Research Act refers to a set of regulations for the protection of human participants in research which was mandated by Congress in 1974.
  • Oregon "Death with Dignity Act”: Oregon "Death with Dignity Act”: Oregon "Death with Dignity Act” refers to a legislation that went into effect in October 1997 in the state of Oregon which specifies the conditions under which a terminally ill, adult resident of the s . . .
  • Sherman Antitrust Act: Sherman Antitrust Act refers to an act (1890) of Congress prohibiting any contract, conspiracy, or combination of business interests in restraint of foreign or interstate trade
  • The Dutch Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act: The Dutch Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act : The Dutch Termination of Life on Request and Assisted Suicide (Review Procedures) Act is the legislation that went into effect in November 2001 in the . . .

Summary

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychotherapy that emphasizes mindfulness, acceptance, and living in alignment with personal values. It helps individuals develop psychological flexibility and cope with distressing thoughts and feelings in a more adaptive way. Through acceptance and commitment, individuals can lead more fulfilling lives despite the presence of difficult emotions or challenging situations.

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