Functional Contextualism is a way of understanding why people do what they do by looking at the situation they’re in and the experiences they've had in the past. Instead of just focusing on a single behavior by itself, FC asks questions like:
- Where is this happening?
- What’s going on around the person?
- What’s their history with similar situations?
- What purpose is the behavior serving right now?
In therapy, the goal of FC isn’t just to explain behavior, it’s to help people make meaningful changes that improve their lives.
The Big Ideas in FC
1. Behavior Depends on Context
Behavior doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It’s shaped by things like:
- Who we’re with
- What’s happening around us
- What we've experienced before
For example, someone who avoids speaking in a meeting isn’t just “shy”, maybe past embarrassment or fear of judgment is driving that behavior.
2. We Look at the Whole Person
Instead of labeling behavior as “good” or “bad,” we ask:
What is this behavior doing for the person right now?
Example: Going to the bar every afternoon could mean:
- They’re connecting with friends (helpful), or
- They’re escaping uncomfortable feelings (avoidance).
The difference isn’t the behavior, it’s the function.
3. We Study the Act-in-Context
We don’t just look at what someone did, but:
- What happened before
- What they did
- What happened afterward
A simple example:
From this, we can help them try a new response that supports growth and values.
Before: Someone is invited to a party and remembers times they embarrassed themselves.
Behavior: They leave or avoid going.
After: They feel relieved—but miss out on connection.
From this, we can help them try a new response that supports growth and values.
4. Truth = What Works
In FC, something is considered “true” if it's useful—meaning it helps someone move toward the life they want.
So instead of asking:
“Is this belief true?”
We ask:
“Is this belief helpful?” “Does it move you toward who you want to be?”
Exercises like the ACT Choice Point help people notice whether their actions move them toward or away from their values.
In Short
Functional Contextualism helps us understand behavior by asking:
“Given who this person is, where they are, and what they've been through—what purpose is this behavior serving?”
From there, we focus on helping them take actions that are more workable, flexible, and aligned with what matters most to them.
1. Truth = What Works (Pragmatism)
What matters is whether something helps life move forward in a meaningful way. An idea is valuable when it leads to workable results, not just because it sounds true or feels comforting.
2. Note the Context (Behavior Arises from Conditions)
Everything we do is shaped by the situation, history, and environment around us. Actions, thoughts, feelings, and reactions make sense when understood in the moment and conditions in which they appear.
3. Note the Function (Function Over Form)
Focus on what a behavior is doing, not what it looks like. Rather than judging or labeling, pay attention to the purpose the behavior serves and the effects it creates.
4. Note the Probable Outcome (Prediction and Influence)
Behavior leads somewhere—notice the direction. The goal is not to blame or categorize, but to understand where actions are taking us and how they may be gently guided toward more helpful ends.
Why Live by Functional Contextualism?
Because life makes more sense and becomes easier to navigate, when we pay attention to what actions actually do, the situations they arise in, and the direction they take us. This philosophy helps us make choices that truly work in the real world.
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