There is debate in the field of ABA surrounding treatments that are evidence based but may be considered aversive. Some behavior analysts are quick to use these interventions and may not fully consider how a client could be impacted. While these procedures can be a powerful tool in changing behavior, their use can pose significant ethical concerns. As the field shifts toward more compassionate, skill-based approaches, it’s important to critically evaluate these interventions and their ethical implications. A well-known procedure that can be controversial is escape extinction.
Assignment Guidelines
For this assignment, you will discuss escape extinction in the context of the scenario provided to you in the Week 3 announcements. You must use the scenario posted in the announcements.
Use the Controversial Behavior Analytic Procedures Template [DOCX] to complete the following:
- Review the scholarly sources provided below (see the Week 3 Assignment ResourcesLinks to an external site. reading list). Select two or more of the sources to use to support the content of your paper. You must only use the sources provided to you.
- "Reducing Escape Without Escape Extinction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Escape-Based Interventions."
- "Task as Reinforcer: A Reactive Alternative to Traditional Forms of Escape Extinction."
- "Kind Extinction: A Procedural Variation on Traditional Extinction."
- Note: Kind extinction is different from traditional extinction. The focus of this assignment is traditional extinction. However, this article can help you with your pros and cons section.
- "Assent in Applied Behaviour Analysis and Positive Behaviour Support: Ethical Considerations and Practical Recommendations."
- Explain the controversial procedure in the context of the scenario provided to you. Make sure to discuss the procedure in the absence of other procedures. Aversive procedures are sometimes paired with reinforcement-based procedures (for example, differential reinforcement). However, they can be problematic when used alone, which is the focus of this assignment.
- Discuss three pro statements that might be given to support the use of the treatment based on the scenario provided to you. Also, discuss three con statements that might be given to oppose the treatment based on the scenario provided to you. Back up these statements with at least one scholarly source.
- Evaluate your findings by discussing how implementing the treatment violates a minimum of four relevant BACB ethics codes from the Week 3 Ethics Codes [DOCX] based on the scenario provided to you. You must only select ethics codes from the provided list. If there is a code not listed that you would like to include, you must seek approval from an instructor. For each identified code, provide specific examples of how the treatment conflicts with each code in practice. You must also discuss how a behavior analyst could adhere to each code.
- How to discuss the codes in your paper:
- When introducing each code, it must include the full code title and number for quick reference.
- Example: 2.01 Providing Effective Treatment.
- Explain the code briefly in your own words.
- Example: Behavior analysts recommend the use of treatments that have demonstrated effectiveness at treating this diagnosis while also ensuring the treatments would meet their clients' individual needs.
- Discuss how the behavior analyst could violate that code by recommending or implementing the treatment. Also, discuss how a behavior analyst could adhere to that code.
- Example: A behavior analyst could violate ethics code 2.01 by . . . (provide an example).
- Example: A behavior analyst would adhere to ethics code 2.01 by . . . (provide an example).
- Use scholarly sources to support your discussion for each code and how it can be violated and adhered to.
- Use in-text citations within the body of the paper.
- (BACB, 2000) or BACB (2000).
- When introducing each code, it must include the full code title and number for quick reference.
- How to discuss the codes in your paper:
Assignment Requirements
Your assignment should meet the following requirements:
- Written communication: Should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
- Follow all assignment guidelines: The submission should follow all of the guidelines.
- APA formatting: References and citations are formatted according to current APA style guidelines. Review the Academic WriterLinks to an external site. section of the Writing Center for more information on how to cite your sources.
- Resources: Select 2–4 of the provided articles.
- The Ethics Code for Behavior AnalystsLinks to an external site. must be cited on your references page but does not count as a scholarly source.
- Length: 3–4 double-spaced pages, in addition to a title page and a references page.
- Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.
Refer to the MS in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Research GuideLinks to an external site. for help finding resources.
Refer to the Controversial Behavior Analytic Procedures rubric to ensure you understand the grading criteria for this assignment.