The Referential Activity of Bucci in the Multiple Code Paradigm: theory and its Advancements

The Referential Activity (RA) is a methodology comprehended in the framework of Bucci’s Multiple Code theory, that relies primarily on patients’ verbal expression of autobiographical memories measured by specific dictionaries. These dictionaries identify different features of the language to reach a final RA score that helps assess the connection of the individuals with their life episodes. Additionally, it aims to explore this construct in light of the most recent findings, considering papers between the years 2015 and 2023. Eight of them were chosen to lead the discussion on the current results concerning RA measurement, the state of Bucci’s theory, and its needed adaptations. Outcomes from these studies have highlighted that RA correlates with many important constructs, including therapeutic alliance, reflexive processes, episodic memory, and others. Furthermore, it also emerged that some features of the theory encompassing RA, such as the symbolizing and also the reflection/reorganization phases, could be revised and refined, in light of discoveries regarding the functioning of the Referential Process (RP), as also for concurrent measures allowing to use RP for supervision and assessment of therapy’s progress. Overall, these findings indicate that the Referential Activity as a measurement technique has been growing and improving through the years, and the implications from such advancements can derive in better assessments and interventions for patients. Consequently, guidance from the psychotherapists through the different phases of the RP could potentially help the patient reach a healthier elaboration of their autobiographical episodes.