As detailed and vast as ethical codes can be, such as the BACB® Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, they do not cover every ethical question a behavior analyst might face. There are “gray areas” in the codes where not every detail or eventuality is specified and which may leave some important questions unanswered. For instance, the BACB® ethics codes don’t specify maximum caseloads for behavior analysts, but they do include guidelines on the level of involvement that behavior analysts need to have with their clients (Sigaud, 2016). These gray areas and inconsistencies often lead to ethical dilemmas that can be very difficult to navigate and resolve.
Reference:
Sigaud, C. (2016, March 28). When ethical guidelines conflict in ABA practice. Behavioral Science in the 21st Century. https://bsci21.org/when-ethical-guidelines-conflict-in-aba-practice/Links to an external site.
To Prepare
- Review the “Ethical Dilemmas Worksheet” in the Learning Resources, which contains ethical dilemmas a professional behavior analyst might face. Prepare to analyze and respond to the ethical dilemmas.
thAssignment (2–4 pages)
For each dilemma on the “Ethical Dilemmas Worksheet,” answer the following questions:
- What is the problem?
- Which ethical code(s) pertain to the problem?
- How would you handle this dilemma and why?
Be sure to support your Assignment with specific references to behavior-analytic theory and research. In addition to the Learning Resources, search the Walden Library and/or the internet for peer-reviewed articles to support your Assignment. Use proper APA format and citations, including those in the Learning Resources.
Resources
- Bailey, J. S., & Burch, M. R. (2022). Ethics for behavior analysts (4th ed.). Routledge.
- Chapter 12, “Delivering the Ethics Message Effectively” (pp. 307–322)
- Sellers, T. P., Alai-Rosales, S., & MacDonald, R. P. F. (2016). Taking full responsibility: The ethics of supervision in behavior analytic practiceLinks to an external site.. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 9 (4), 299–308. doi:10.1007/s40617-016-0144-x
- Document: Ethical Dilemmas Worksheet Download Ethical Dilemmas Worksheet(Word document)