Ethics in Daily Life

Briana Tingler Caldwell College

Agenda

• Integrity • Competence • Confidentiality • Dual Relationships • Functional Assessment • Treatment • Ongoing Data Collection • Terminating Clients • Dealing with Colleagues

Resources

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

http://baileyburch.com/ Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Why do we need Ethical Guidelines?

• To protect your CLIENTS.

• To protect YOU.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Why is discussing ethics so important?

• As future behavior analysts, we will confront ethical problems on a daily basis.

• We, as trained professionals in the field, will have to make important decisions that will affect ourselves, our clients, and third parties.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Integrity

Integrity

• “Integrity means upholding high moral principles, and in this regard we have three: (a) a responsibility to all parties affected by our services; (b) a commitment to evidence-based treatments; and, above all else, (c) do no harm.” Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Someone with Integrity…

Guideline 1.04

• Truthful and honest, • Follow through on obligations, • Refrain from making commitments we can not keep, • Abide by the legal and moral code of the community.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Ethical Dilemma 1.04

“Dr. J recently was recruited to teach at a major university where he was expected to set up a laboratory to study self-injurious behavior (SIB). His previous research emphasized the effectiveness of certain aversive stimuli that, when made contingent on early responses in the SIB chain, greatly reduced the probability of the final members of the chain being emitted. The work had been published in prestigious journals. Dr. J. was shocked when one of the BCaBAs he hired to work in the lab said that this research was prohibited by a state law that had been passed about 10 year earlier.” Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Competence

• We work within the boundaries of our competence.

Education Training Supervised Experience Professional Experience Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Ethical Dilemma 1.02

“Dr. Sandra F., a professor at a small Midwestern college, is asked to teach a course in child psychology. Dr. F is a Doctoral level BCBA-D wit ha PhD from a major university, and although she did her dissertation on children with phobias she has never taken a graduate course or seminar specifically on this topic.” Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC..

Confidentiality

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSnJIbXo7jc

Breaking Confidentiality

Destroy relationships Damage your career Damage position in community Harm the client Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Dual Relationships

Why is it important to avoid? (1.06) Impairment Performing effectively professionally

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Ethical Dilemma 1.06

“A BCBA who lives in a small town was asked by her sister to develop an Association of Behavior Analysts (ABA) program for her son. There are no other behavior analysts available, and the BCBA has issues with the sister that would be complicated by her taking the case.” Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC..

Solution

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC..

Functional Assessment (3.02)

• It is inappropriate to suggest continuing or starting certain treatments without determining the function of the behavior.

• Example: grocery shopping.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Treatment

• Our clients have a right to the most effective, least restrictive treatment.

Avoid harmful reinforcers (4.06) Reinforcement before punishment (4.05) Eliminate variables that hamper program (4.03) Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Guideline 4.06

Avoiding or minimizing harmful reinforcers • Cigarettes • Alcohol • Fatty foods • Sugary foods • Excessive deprivation

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Guideline 4.05

Reinforcement and punishment • Always recommend reinforcement first.

• Always include reinforcement.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Guideline 4.03

Environmental conditions that hamper implementation • Identify environmental constraints.

• Attempt to eliminate, modify, and resolve conditions.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Guideline 5

Ensure individuals implementing procedures are qualified.

Train them competently.

Monitor their progress.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Ongoing Data Collection Other fields: subjective ABA: objective

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6CWf9H7F8k

Terminating clients Unethical

Drop a case

Ethical

Terminate once objectives are met Client conduct Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Dealing with behavioral colleagues (8.0) Request a meeting Explain concern Look for reaction

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

If that doesn’t work…

Seek advice Do not pursue further action Remove yourself Report it to the BACB Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Dealing with Non behavioral colleagues

• Establish a working relationship in the best interest of the client.

• When comfortable bring up areas of concern by choosing words carefully and avoiding accusatory remarks.

• Hopefully, an agreement takes place to resolve the issue.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

In Conclusion

• We must adhere to the Guidelines for Responsible Conduct published by the BACB.

• By following the guidelines we will ensure that we are regarded as reliable, educated, trustworthy, and honest professionals.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

References

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts. (2 ed.). New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Bailey, J., & Burch, M. (2010). 25 essential skills and strategies for the professional behavior analyst. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.