Selfing and Othering from a CBS Perspective

Every month we meet to discuss ways of working together to build more trust and collaboration. This is an edit of the Americas-timed Community of Practice meeting from 18 April 2025. We began the meeting playing a game about othering. Then, towards the end, in the first 10 minutes or so of this video, I presented a framework for thinking about how self and other are constructed from Contextual Behavioral Science perspective (making use of Relational Frame Theory). We then have a discussion about some of the ideas. With thanks to Jay, Pacifico, Annika, Viveka, Joe, Gabriel, Jim and Anna for taking part.

Here is a brief summary of the discussion:

🧠 Behavioral Science Framework

Paul presents a contextual behavioral science perspective, emphasizing that thinking, feeling, and acting are all behaviors shaped by reinforcement principles. This approach challenges dualistic views separating mind and body.

🪞 Formation of Self and Other

A key insight is that self and other distinctions are not innate but socially learned. As children are reinforced for consistent self-statements, they develop an “I” concept that necessitates an “Other,” setting the stage for social categorization.

🚸 Development of Identity

Through Language Language plays a central role in how individuals derive identity. Through repeated social interactions and responses to personal declarations like “I feel” or “I believe,” people build a coherent self-concept that simultaneously creates distinctions from others.