title: On Having a Goal: Goals as Representations or Behavior.
abstract: The present article discusses the concepts ofhaving a goaland ofgoal-directed behaviorfrom a behavior-analytic perspective. In clinical psychology as well as in the study of human behavior at large, goals delineate an important area of investigation when it comes to health, well-being, and behavioral change. While concepts like goals and goal-directed behavior may be more frequently used outside the theoretical boundaries of behavior analysis, we argue that by incorporating recent behavior analytic research on verbal behavior, new and fruitful ways open up for approaching the phenomenon ofhaving a goal. A behavior-analytic approach thereby may increase both precision in understanding and the potential for influencing essential aspects of human behavior. This analysis starts with the concept of rule-governed behavior and develops that analysis by using the concept of derived relational responding.
authors: Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, S106 91 Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: Jonas
authors: J
authors: Ramnerö
authors: Kalmar, Sweden.
authors: Niklas
authors: N
authors: Törneke
keywords: Goal-directed behavior; Goals; Relational frame theory; Rule-governed behavior
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