Abstract
This commentary gave some additional findings and implications for “symmetrical bias (or bidirectional relation)” from a viewpoint of Contextual Behavioral Science, in particular, Relational Frame Theory and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. The given findings were related with a) the transformation of stimulus function through bidirectional relation in persons with specific phobia or mental disorder, b) the emergence or non-emergence of bidirectional relation influenced by baseline-training reversals or protocols in matching-to-sample procedure, and c) the emergence or non-emergence of bidirectional relation in infants or nonhuman subjects. Furthermore, the given implications were related with d) necessity of balancing between abduction and induction, particularly identifying and cumulating the manipulable variables inductively, e) prevention of confusing explanation with cause through symmetrical biases, and f) clarification of own ”purpose and value”, in pursuing symmetry bias or bidirectional relation as one of most fundamental processes in human cognition.
