Ethics Flashcards

A behavior analyst is working with a client who is also seeing a speech therapist. The behavior analyst notices that the goals set by the speech therapist conflict with the behavior analytic goals. What should the behavior analyst do?

Answer: Reach out to the speech therapist to discuss the conflicting goals and collaborate on a unified approach.

When a behavior analyst's goals conflict with another provider's goals, the ethical course of action is to collaborate directly with that provider to create a unified treatment plan that best serves the client. Ignoring the conflict, acting unilaterally, or telling the client to stop seeing the other therapist all undermine interdisciplinary care and violate the BACB's collaboration standards.

A behavior analyst receives a gift from a client's family as a token of appreciation. According to the BACB ethics code, how should the behavior analyst respond?

Answer: Politely decline the gift and explain that accepting gifts is against professional ethics.

The BACB ethics code prohibits behavior analysts from accepting gifts from clients or their families because doing so can compromise objectivity and create a dual relationship. Politely declining while explaining the professional reasoning maintains appropriate boundaries. Accepting the gift outright, donating it, or redirecting it to the organization all still involve accepting something that should be declined.

A behavior analyst is considering using a new intervention that has shown promise in recent studies but is not yet widely accepted in the field. What should the behavior analyst do before implementing this intervention?

Answer: Review the available research, consider the evidence, and ensure that it align with the client's best interest before proceeding.

Before implementing any emerging intervention, a behavior analyst must critically evaluate the research evidence and ensure the approach aligns with the client's best interests—this reflects the BACB's commitment to evidence-based practice. Implementing immediately without review or conducting undisclosed personal trials violates informed consent and scientific rigor. Waiting for widespread acceptance is overly conservative and may unnecessarily delay beneficial treatment.

A behavior analysist is asked to provide services in an area outside of their competency. What is the most ethical course of action?

Answer: Refer the client to a colleague who has the necessary expertise.

Practicing outside one's area of competency without proper support is an ethical violation under the BACB code, so the correct action is to refer the client to a qualified colleague. Accepting the case and learning on the job, or providing minimal services, puts the client at risk. Declining without a referral leaves the client without needed support, which is also ethically insufficient.

During a supervision session, a supervisee disclose that they have been implementing behavior analytic procedures without obtaining proper consent from clients. What is the supervisor's ethical obligation?

Answer: Report the supervisee's action to the relevant authorities and ensure that proper consent is obtained moving forward.

A supervisor has an ethical obligation to take corrective action when a supervisee engages in misconduct—in this case, implementing procedures without informed consent. This means reporting to relevant authorities and ensuring consent is obtained going forward. Simply advising the supervisee or ignoring the disclosure fails to protect clients, and immediately terminating supervision without addressing the harm is also insufficient.

A behavior analyst realizes hey have made a billing error in favor the client's insurance company. According to the BACB ethics code, what should they do?

Answer: Correct the error and inform the clients insurance company

The BACB ethics code requires behavior analysts to be honest in billing practices, which means correcting any billing errors promptly and notifying the affected party—in this case, the insurance company. Ignoring the error, even if it benefits the client, is dishonest. Passing the responsibility to the client or waiting for legal counsel before acting are unnecessary delays to a straightforward ethical obligation.

A behavior analyst is invited to participate in a research study that involves the use of invasive procedures on animals. The behavior analyst is unsure if the study adheres to ethical guidelines. What should the behavior analyst do?

Answer: Review the ethical guidelines for research involving animals and consult with an ethics board or committee before making a decisions

When uncertain about whether a research study meets ethical standards, a behavior analyst should consult the applicable ethical guidelines and seek review from an ethics board before committing to participation. A reputable institution alone does not guarantee ethical compliance. Declining outright may be premature, and agreeing to participate with partial refusal does not resolve the underlying ethical uncertainty.