A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis

Darren Sush, Adel C. Najdowski

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9780128158944
• Topic: Psychologie
• Subtopic: Psychologie du développement

Those working within the field of applied behavior analysis encounter potential ethical dilemmas on a daily basis. While some challenges can be anticipated and appropriately addressed before they become unmanageable, oftentimes behavior analysts are confronted with unforeseen and novel situations that require immediate, yet careful attention. It is impossible to anticipate and plan for every eventuality. A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis presents over 85 real-world case scenarios commonly faced by individuals practicing applied behavior analysis. The examples range in difficulty and severity to address the unique challenges and needs of those teaching, practicing, or learning applied behavior analysis through ethics-focused coursework or preparing for the BACB® certification exam. In addition to case scenarios, the book provides detailed questions to facilitate discussion and critical thinking and offers suggestions related to the navigation of ethically precarious situations.

• Offers case scenarios addressing codes within the Behavior Analyst Certification Board's (BACB®) Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts
• Presents detailed question prompts to facilitate discussion and critical thinking
• Offers suggestions on the navigation of ethical challenges
• Discusses how to assess risk and devise ethically-appropriate courses of action
• Provides the entirety of the BACB® ethics code for quick access and reference

Section II

Ethical Case Scenarios

Outline

• Chapter 5 1.0—Responsible Conduct of Behavior Analysts
• Chapter 6 2.0—Behavior Analysts’ Responsibility to Clients
• Chapter 7 3.0—Assessing Behavior
• Chapter 8 4.0—Behavior Analysts and the Behavior-Change Program
• Chapter 9 5.0—Behavior Analysts as Supervisors
• Chapter 10 6.0—Behavior Analysts’ Ethical Responsibility to the Profession of Behavior Analysis
• Chapter 11 7.0—Behavior Analysts’ Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues
• Chapter 12 8.0—Public Statements
• Chapter 13 9.0—Behavior Analysts and Research
• Chapter 14 10.0—Behavior Analysts’ Ethical Responsibility to the BACB
• Chapter 15 Complex Scenarios Involving Multiple Codes

Chapter 5

1.0—Responsible Conduct of Behavior Analysts

Abstract

To be analyzed and completed by the user of this workbook, this chapter provides ethical case scenarios pertaining to code 1.0 of the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s Ethics Code. Code 1.0 addresses the responsible conduct of behavior analysts and dictates the expectations, standards, and ideals for the professional practice of behavior analysts. Following each case scenario, questions are provided to assist in understanding the Code. While working through the scenarios in this chapter, the user of the workbook is asked to: highlight crucial elements related to the Code and potential risk of harm to those involved, differentiate actions that appear to be in clear violation with the Code versus elements that may relate but are not yet an infraction, describe the reasons each element of the Code was identified and why a violation did or did not occur, and recommend a course of action going forward.

Keywords

ABA; BACB Ethics Code; BCBA; BCBA ethics examples; case scenarios; ethics; ethics examples; ethics scenarios; responsible conduct of BCBAs; scope of practice

Although the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA) has grown exponentially in recent years, from certificants totaling 19,795 in 2015, to 22,891 in 2016, 26,879 in 2017, and over 28,000 at the time this book was written (Behavior Analyst Certification Board [BACB], n.d.), we are still a relatively young community of professionals. In fact, close to 30% of all current certificants were certified in 2016 or 2017—a proportion that is expected to continue to rise. As such, our reputation both within and outside of our field is yet to be fully solidified and remains subject to interpretation by others if we do not establish and maintain its identity for ourselves.

Perhaps one of the greatest challenges to preserving our identity as behavior analysts is the ethically questionable behavior of those in the past who continue to be associated with our field. It may be easy for an ethical behavior analyst to look at early “behavior modifiers” with disdain and distance ourselves as completely separate practitioners of the greater good. Yet, the fact remains that the history of our field is relatively short, and the ethical challenges associated with the history of the behavioral sciences are proportionately recent. Thus these events are not only fresh in the minds of the communities with whom we wish to serve or collaborate, but unfortunately, may still continue to occur across various contexts.

Many people, even those within the healthcare, mental health, human resources, and organizational fields, may endorse a strongly held, yet inaccurate, opinion of the field of ABA. Although their impression may have potentially been influenced by those loosely associated with the field, the responsibility of each individual who identifies themselves as a behavior analyst is significant and substantial.

As a behavior analyst, personally performing well within one’s professional role will hopefully have a promising reflection on their career. However, perhaps because of the (1) short tenure of our field; (2) uncertainty across communities about our foundations and practices; and (3) regrettable actions and reputation related to our past, the unethical behavior of even just one member of our community could have a large and lasting impact across the entire field.

Considering the importance and the accountability that each individual behavior analyst holds, not only for themselves but also for the field as a whole, the BACB Ethics Code (BACB, 2014) begins with code 1.0 by addressing the responsible conduct of behavior analysts. The ele...