The intentional use of language to promote multi-level change

1. The intentional use of language to promote multi-level change Sonja V. Batten, Ph.D. Booz Allen Hamilton & ACBS President!

2. Obligatory ACBS Mission Slide • Founded in 2005 (incorporated in 2006), the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) is dedicated to the advancement of functional contextual cognitive and behavioral science and practice so as to alleviate human suffering and advance human well being. This organization seeks: • The development of a coherent and progressive science of human action that is more adequate to the challenges of the human condition • The development of useful basic principles, workable applied theories linked to these principles, effective applied technologies based on these theories, and successful means of training and disseminating these developments, guided by the best available scientific evidence • The development of a view of science that values a dynamic, ongoing interaction between its basic and applied elements, and between practical application and empirical knowledge • Development of a community of scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners who will work in a collegial, open, self-critical, non-discriminatory, and mutually supportive way that is effective in producing valued outcomes and in exploring the additional implications of this work, and that emphasizes open and low cost methods of connecting with this work so as to keep the focus on benefit to others.

3. A very expansive mission! • Founded in 2005 (incorporated in 2006), the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) is dedicated to the advancement of functional contextual cognitive and behavioral science and practice so as to alleviate human suffering and advance human well being. This organization seeks: • The development of a coherent and progressive science of human action that is more adequate to the challenges of the human condition • The development of useful basic principles, workable applied theories linked to these principles, effective applied technologies based on these theories, and successful means of training and disseminating these developments, guided by the best available scientific evidence • The development of a view of science that values a dynamic, ongoing interaction between its basic and applied elements, and between practical application and empirical knowledge • Development of a community of scholars, researchers, educators, and practitioners who will work in a collegial, open, self-critical, non-discriminatory, and mutually supportive way that is effective in producing valued outcomes and in exploring the additional implications of this work, and that emphasizes open and low cost methods of connecting with this work so as to keep the focus on benefit to others.

4. This conference’s theme • Use of contextual behavioral principles for large scale behavioral, social, and policy change • Because if we’re going to change the world, we need a concentrated effort on multiple levels

5. Standard models are not enough! • While we’re doing inspiring individual interventions, we also need to have a consistent, concerted effort to change organizations, communities, systems of care… and eventually culture

6. Examples from this year’s conference(so exciting!) • Functional contextual approaches to large-scale changes (Bond) • Applying Network Science in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: An Evolving Perspective (Green) • Technology-Based ACT Interventions to Support Large Scale Behavioral Change (Levin, Koerner, Bricker, & Herbert) • The Prosocial Protocol: Training in How to Help Groups Implement the Ostrom Principles (S. Hayes, D.S. Wilson, Biglan, Ciarrochi, & Polk) • Using Our Work to Create Social and Policy Change (Brownell) • Mindfulness and Behavior Change at Work (Atkins, Styles, & Szabo) • CBS at Work (McHugh, D. Moran, Bond, & Dowling) • And many others!

7. My goal for today…. • To talk to you from my empirically-informed, but mostly contingency-shaped experience about considerations for intentional, effective communications at the levels of: • The individual in the public • Media / popular press • Senior leaders and policy makers • Politicians and political institutions • (Not going to focus on communication with clinicians and researchers)

8. My suggestion…. • Contextual behavioral science gives us the most effective means to effect change at all of those levels, because of our unique understanding of the double edged sword of language.

9. A quick orienting moment • If you’re willing, take a moment, close your eyes, and think about someone you would like to influence…..

10. Communicating with the Public • At the most basic level, our aim is to give people information in ways that they can take it in and connect to it, so that they can make their own decisions about their health and behavior. • There are many things to keep in mind as we go about doing that – some that are more obvious and attended to these days • Like level of education and clarity of language used • Scientists are still not always good at this

11. Communicating with the Public • Another consideration to keep in mind with the validity of language used • Is it actually the language they would use themselves? • Example of the design of www.maketheconnection.net

12. Communicating with the Public: The Power of the Messenger • People want to hear messages from others who are as similar to them as possible • An example related to avoidance: • https://maketheconnection.net/stories/story.aspx?story_id=549

13. Communicating with the Public:Framing the Message • How do we talk about problems in a way that people would want to hear them? • Example: “Seeking help is …” • not a sign of weakness • a sign of strength • http://youtu.be/IBKr3JRkmeo

14. Communicating Through the Media • The most important thing to know: • The media’s job is not to educate and provide information. Their job is to tell an entertaining story. • If you don’t understand this fundamental truth, you miss an opportunity to get your message across

15. Communicating Through the Media • Turning your message into news: • Something has to be happening • Need human interest angle • Ethical challenge • What is the hook??? • Then make it a soundbyte • Practice, practice, practice • This is not a dissertation defense

16. Communicating Through the Media • Remember – you have an opportunity to influence the reporter that you’re speaking to. • If there are points you think should be emphasized, make sure you tell them • http://vimeo.com/17013809

17. Communicating Through the Media • Some general thoughts about language and mental health: • Distinction between the person and the diagnosis • “victims” • “suffering from” • Remember to think about what will connect with people and how they want to think of themselves

18. Communicating Through the Media • Don’t want to feed into public stereotypes about brokenness • Balancing messages about difficulties with messages about strengths • Always provide the good news that treatment works • http://www.thirteen.org/programs/need-to-know/interview-sonja-batten/

19. Communicating with Senior Leaders • May be your boss or supervisor • May be policy makers • Variety of other people you’d like to influence • How about a little perspective taking?

20. Communicating with Senior Leaders • In my experience, leaders need you to understand that: • They have limited time • Regardless of how important your cause or issue is, yours is just one of many they are dealing with • They want to hear the truth. Great leaders appreciate people who speak truth to power • Not without risk, but integrity has rewards

21. Communicating in Political Settings • As we heard from Kelly Brownell, science can have a powerful impact on public policy and laws, when communicated well • “4 or 5 calls makes a trend” • Such communication needs to be crisp, dynamic, and sensitive to current events • “Politics is theater. It doesn't matter if you win. You make a statement. You say, ‘I'm here, pay attention to me.’” - Harvey Milk

22. Speaking to Congress • A very challenging venue • Must be able to distill down to soundbytes – both for impact and because of time limits. You cannot waffle on scientific minutiae • Many politicians care deeply about the issues they address there, but they are also concerned about local constituents and re-election • http://www.c-span.org/video/?311617-1/veterans-admin-officials-questioned-mental-health-policies&desktop= • Blumenthal question: 2:16:00-2:19:13

23. How to take this forward in your life? • Whom would you like to influence? • What is your message? • What intentional language choices will you make? • Before engaging, how can you take the perspective of the listener? • Practice, practice, practice • Are you ready to go change the world?