Chapter 12
The Behavior Analyst’s Ethical
Responsibility to the Field of
Behavior Analysis
Jim Grochowski
Caldwell College
Overview
Introduction
Guidelines 7.0-7.04
Similar guidelines in related fields
Summary
Questions
References
Introduction
Behavior Analysis is growing rapidly as a
profession but…
• It is still a small field when compared with some
other related areas
• Most Americans are not familiar with Behavior
Analysis
• Unethical behavior of a small number of
individuals can reflect poorly on the entire field
• Need for high standard of ethical behavior
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
The Behavior Analyst’s Ethical
Responsibility to the Field of
Behavior Analysis (7.0)
The behavior analyst has a responsibility
to support the values of the field, to
disseminate knowledge to the public, to
be familiar with these guidelines, and to
discourage misrepresentation by noncertified individuals.
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
The Behavior Analyst’s Ethical
Responsibility to the Field of Behavior
Analysis (7.0)
•
•
•
•
•
In addition to following ethical guidelines, ethical
behavior analysts must preserve and enhance the
reputation of behavior analysis
Promote findings and methodology to the public
Occasionally review ethical guidelines
Remind colleagues of the basic values when
necessary
Monitor others to discourage them from
misrepresenting themselves as board certified if
they are not
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Affirming Principles (7.01)
The behavior analyst upholds and advances
the values, ethics, principles, and mission of
the field of behavior analysis. Participation
in both state and national or international
behavior analysis organizations is strongly
encouraged.
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Affirming Principles (7.01)
•
•
•
Obligation to speak out on behalf of
the field
Obligation to support the values of the
field
Include honesty, integrity, fairness,
and the search for basic principles of
behavior that may help improve the
human condition
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Affirming Principles (7.01)
•
•
Participate in organizations at state,
national and international levels (NJ ABA,
ABAI, APBA)
Attend conferences as they offer the
opportunity to…
-meet leading experts in the field
-improve technical skills
-increase understanding of new services
that may assist in programing for clients
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Disseminating Behavior Analysis
(7.02)
The behavior analyst assists the profession
in making behavior analysis methodology
available to the general public.
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Disseminating Behavior Analysis
(7.02)
•
May educate the general public about our
profession by…
-speaking at local civics groups
-writing to an editor to correct misinformation
about behavior analysis
-providing workshops
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VGbdlLHSM&feature=youtube_gdata_player
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Disseminating Behavior Analysis
(7.02)
What are some other ways to
disseminate information to the general
public?
Being Familiar with These
Guidelines (7.03)
Behavior analysts have an obligation to be
familiar with these Guidelines, other
applicable ethics codes, and their
application to behavior analysts’ work. Lack
of awareness or misunderstanding of a
conduct standard is not itself a defense to a
charge of unethical conduct.
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Being Familiar with these
Guidelines (7.03)
•
The guidelines assist behavior analysts with their
professional conduct
• Must be familiar with these guidelines as well as
other relevant ethics codes
• Ignorance of ethical codes is not an excuse for
unethical behavior
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Discouraging Misrepresentation by
Non-Certified Individuals (7.04)
Behavior analysts discourage noncertified practitioners from
misrepresenting that they are certified.
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Discourage Misrepresentation by
Noncertified Individuals (7.04)
•
•
•
Pertains to those representing themselves as
“Board Certified” when they are not
Discourage is not operationally defined
Suggestions include…
-Referring to the guidelines to dissuade the
individual
-Contacting the BACB
-Contacting the Association of Behavior Analysis
-Contacting state/ local association (NJ ABA) for
assistance
(Bailey % Burch, 2011)
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
BACB
Affirming
Principles
(7.01)
Disseminating
Behavior
Analysis
(7.02)
Being Familiar
With these
Guidelines
(7.03)
Discouraging
Misrepresentation
By Noncertified
Individuals
(7.04)
APA
Art
Therapy
OT
PT
ASHA
NEA
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
American Psychological Association (APA)
Standard 2: Competence
•
2.03 Maintaining Competence Psychologists
undertake ongoing efforts to develop and
maintain their competence.
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
Art Therapy
9.0 RESPONSIBILITY TO THE PROFESSION
Art therapists respect the rights and responsibilities
of professional colleagues and participate in
activities that advance the goals of art therapy.
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Principle 1.
Occupational therapy personnel shall demonstrate a concern for the wellbeing and safety of the recipients of their services.
• N. Take responsibility for promoting and practicing occupational therapy
on the basis of current knowledge and research and for further
developing the profession’s body of knowledge.
Principle 5.
Occupational therapy personnel shall comply with institutional rules, local,
state, federal, and international laws and AOTA documents applicable to
the profession of occupational therapy.
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
Physical Therapy (PT)
Principle #6:
Physical therapists shall enhance their expertise through the
lifelong acquisition and refinement of knowledge, skills,
abilities, and professional behaviors.
•
6A. Physical therapists shall achieve and maintain
professional competence.
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Principle of Ethics II
Individuals shall honor their responsibility to achieve and maintain
the highest level of professional competence and performance.
•
c. Individuals shall engage in lifelong learning to maintain and
enhance professional competence and performance.
Principle of Ethics III
Individuals shall honor their responsibility to the public by promoting
public understanding of the professions, by supporting the
development of services designed to fulfill the unmet needs of the
public, and by providing accurate information in all communications
involving any aspect of the professions, including the dissemination
of research findings and scholarly activities, and the promotion,
marketing, and advertising of products and services.
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
Principle of Ethics IV
Individuals shall honor their responsibilities to the
professions and their relationships with colleagues,
students, and members of other professions and disciplines
•
A. Individuals shall uphold the dignity and autonomy of
the professions, maintain harmonious interprofessional
and intraprofessional relationships, and accept the
professions' self-imposed standards
Similar Ethical Codes in Related Fields
National Education Association (NEA)
PRINCIPLE II
Commitment to the Profession
The education profession is vested by the public with a trust and
responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service.
In fulfillment of the obligation to the profession, the educator—
3. Shall not assist any entry into the profession of a person known to be
unqualified in respect to character, education, or other relevant
attribute.
5. Shall not assist a noneducator in the unauthorized practice of teaching.
Summary
The ethical behavior analyst should…
• participate in organizations and attend
conferences
• disseminate information on behavior
analysis
• be familiar with the ethical guidelines as
well as ethical guidelines of relevant fields
• Discourage noncertified practitioners form
misrepresenting that they are certified
Questions
Thank You
References
American Art Therapy Association. Ethical Principles for Art Therapists.
www.americanarttherapyassociation.org/upload/ethicalprinciples.pdf
American Occupational Therapy Association. Occupational Therapy Code of
Ethics and Ethics Standards. http://www.aota.org/consumers/ethics
/39880.aspx
American Physical Therapy Association. Code of Ethics for the Physical
Therapist. www.apta.org/uploadedFiles/APTAorg/.
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Code of Ethics.
http://www.asha.org/docs/html/ET2010-00309.html
American Psychological Association. Ethical Principles of Psychologists and
Code of Conduct. http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx
Bailey, J.S., & Burch, M.R., (2011). Ethics for behavior analysts (2nd Expanded
Edition). Routledge.
National Education Association. Code of Ethics.
http://www.nea.org/home/30442.htm
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VGbdl- LHSM&feature=youtube_gdata_player