Relational Frame Theory Association

Relational Frame Theory (RFT) is a psychological framework that explains how humans learn and develop language and cognition through relationships between concepts. Association in RFT refers to how we mentally connect words, ideas, or objects based on their relationships—like understanding that "bigger than" links two items. These associations form the basis for complex thinking, problem-solving, and language development. Essentially, RFT highlights that our ability to relate different experiences and ideas shapes much of our understanding of the world, facilitating flexible and meaningful cognition beyond mere individual associations.