Ethics of ABA - Final Exam Review
Considerations for terminating/transitioning services:
(1) If client has met all behavior-change goals (2) If client is not benefitting from the services (3) If behavior analyst and/or their supervisees/trainees are exposed to potentially harmful conditions that cannot be reasonably resolved (4) If the client/stakeholder requests discontinuation (5) If client/stakeholders are not complying with the behavior change intervention despite appropriate efforts to address barriers (6) If services are no longer being funded
Before using a learner's image on company materials, what must you take into consideration?
(1) Obtaining informed consent (2) Including a disclaimer (3) Reduce potential for sharing; Whether it is solicited or unsolicited, the relationship, applicable privacy and confidentiality laws, where and how the testimonial will appear, that the learners can rescind the testimonial at any time
Parent Timeline for discontinuing/transitioning services:
(1) Start of Services - Review service agreement and discontinuation of services criteria - Review relevant policies and procedures (ex: interruption of services/service plan, emergency plan) (2) Periodically Throughout Service - Review discontinuation criteria - Update documentation (ex: assessments, behavior change intervention plans, graphs) (3) As Needed During the Services: - Review relevant policies and procedures (ex: expectations of caregivers) (4) Change in Services: - Discontinuation of Services - Transition within an organization
(3) Behave with Integrity
- Behaving in an honest and trustworthy manner - Not misinterpreting themselves, misrepresenting their work or others work, or engaging in fraud - Following through on obligations - Holding themselves accountable for work and work of their supervisees/trainees, and correcting errors in a timely manner - Being knowledgeable about and upholding BACB regulatory requirements - Actively working to create professional environments that uphold core principles and standards of Code - Respectfully educating others about ethics requirements of behavior analysts and mechanisms for addressing professional misconduct
Side effects of poor supervision:
- Client is always the first victim! - Client does not demonstrate progress - Client is harmed as a result of poor quality services - Future BCBAs with insufficient practice repertoires - Unable to problem solve and make decisions in novel/unfamiliar situations - Model inappropriate behavior for supervisees - Engage in unethical behavior
Recommendations to further cultural awareness as a BCBA:
- Consider the language of the assessment - Understand cultural identity - Use readily available resources - Increasing cultural awareness within a clinical organization - Cultural awareness training in graduate and professional development programs
Which would be considered a public statement?
A behavior intervention plan
Pseudoscience
A fake or false science that makes claims based on little or no scientific evidence. - Delivering non-behavioral analytic services: can ONLY be provided by a behavior analyst under other credentials and with a written disclaimer
Brodhead and colleagues defined an evidence based practice as:
A process that allows for behavior analysts to evaluate treatment or research
When accepting clients....
BCBAs should only accept clients whose requested services commensurate with their education, training, experience, resources, and organizational policies or must function under supervision of a BCBA who can do these services
BSA stands for:
Behavioral systems analysis
Non-behavior analytic services:
Can be provided by a behavior analyst under other credentials and with a written disclaimer.
Which of the following is not a reason for discontinuation of services per the BACB Code?
Client's insurance reimburses at a lower rate
What is the difference between a client and a stakeholder?
Clients are the direct recipients of the behavior analytic services, stakeholders are the individuals who (other than the client themselves) who are impacted by and invested in the behavior analytic services
Public statements
Delivery of information (digital or otherwise) in a public forum for the purpose of either better informing that audience or providing a call-to-action; Includes paid or unpaid advertising, brochures, printed material, directory listings, personal resumes or CVs, interviews, or comments for use in media (i.e., print, statements in legal proceedings, lectures, and public presentations, social media, published material, etc.) - Must be truthful, and does not mislead or exaggerate - Must not embellish or make absolute claims (dissemination/philosophic doubt)
List the 3 ethical paradigms from the first lecture:
Deontology, consequentialism, and virtue ethics
According to the BACB Continuity of Services Toolkit, what is the second step to creating your continuity of services plan?
Design
Design, Step 2
Design a plan for updating and implementing your new processes (1) Form a group of trusted individuals (BCBAs, BCaBAs, or other supervisors) who can help you manage, update, and/or create documents and processes. (2) Notify BCBAs and BCaBAs in your organization of the changes that will occur, if relevant (3) Establish an ideal timeline and schedule dates/times for training as soon as possible (4) Update and/or create documents
Providing all students with extra time on their exam would be an example of:
Equality
Determining what assistive technology device each client needs is an example of:
Equity
A nonvocal client cannot give or revoke consent, therefore it is not required of the BCBA. True or False?
False
Before implementation, the behavior analysts must verbally notify the objectives and procedure of the behavior change intervention, timelines, and schedule of the ongoing review. True or False?
False
Being licensed in ABA allows you to work competently with any person with disabilities. True or False?
False
Getting assent from a client is legally required. True or False?
False
If a child is presenting sudden and dangerous behavior, you should begin a behavior plan immediately before doing anything else. True or False?
False
In this article, Kelly et al. (2020) argues that the ethical code can dictate responses to all ethical scenarios. True or False?
False
Informal resolutions of the BACB Code are not allowed under any circumstances. True or False?
False
It is okay to engage in a sexual relationship with a past client if you have written consent following services. True or False?
False
The BACB Ethics Code trumps HIPPA when protecting clients. True or False?
False
There is a lot of applied research on ethical decision making behavior. True or False?
False
There is little research on choice behavior in the field. True or False?
False
There is not way to determine if a nonverbal client approves of the behavior program. True or False?
False
You do not need to consider the function of behavior before implementing the treatment. True or False?
False
Before making significant modifications to a behavior plan, behavior analysts must:
Get client approval in writing
Which of the following is not one of the main principles that came about as a result of unethical research practices?
Honesty
Clients have the right to effective treatment which means that the treatments being given are ones in which:
Long term and short term benefits to clients and society have been found
Bruno Bettelheim used the phrase "identification with the aggressor" as a way to explain how Nazi prisoners mimicked the behavior of the Nazi guards, often being as brutal to their fellow prisoners as the guards were. What is the best behavioral description for this?
Negative reinforcement
Bennet received a voucher (no monetary value listed) for a free meal by a client's family member who owns a fancy steak restaurant. He accepts the gift. Is he in compliance with the BACB ethics code?
No
The Report findings on Sunland indicated that they started with good intentions, but concluded which behavioral phenomena was the cause for abusive conditions?
Observer drift
Consent
Permission given by individual with the legal right to consent before participating in services or research, or allowing their information to be shared or used
Variability in participants responses in Cos (2021) was attributed to what factors?
Personal learning history
Who is considered a supervisee?
RBTs, BCBAs, BCaBAs, as well as any other individuals carrying out supervised behavioral services; any individual whose behavioral service delivery is overseen by a behavior analyst in the context of a defined, agreed upon relationship
Scope of competence
Refers to the professional activities behavior analysts can consistently perform with proficiency
If a behavior analyst believes a clients legal rights are being violated, the BCBA must:
Report to the relevant authorities and protect the client
What are the 3 basic principles of the Belmont Report?
Respect for persons, beneficence, and justice
Which of the following is not listed in the Benefitting Others Core Principle?
Respecting and actively promoting clients self determination to the best of their abilities, particularly when providing services to vulnerable populations
When looking at how we bill, Brodhead suggests how we allocate billable hours is analogous to:
Responding to different schedules of reinforcement per the Matching Law
Before designing a treatment plan for a new client with a recent change in behavior, the behavior analyst should first:
Rule out potential medical causes
These authors indicated that prompting choice is important to develop the skill of decision-making, but should be carefully faded in order to promote unrestricted independence.
Schloss, Alper, and Jayne (1993)
Zimbardo (2008) said that the need to be accepted, liked, and respected to seem normal and appropriate to fit in is so powerful that we are primed to conform to even the most foolish and outlandish behaviors that strangers tell us is the right way to act." What is the best behavioral description for this?
Social positive reinforcement
Assess, Step 1
Taking a critical look at current plan to see what can be improved upon in areas of consistency, client protection, and compliance with relevant ethics codes. (1) Make a list of what is missing from current plan (i.e., service agreement, policies and procedures, task analyses, job aids, and checklists, etc.) (2) Collect baseline data about how you and your team currently address planned and unplanned interruptions, transitions, and continuity of services
In order to deliver the most effective treatment possible, we must consider the cultural preferences of our clients and their families. True or False?
True
Schloss, Alper, and Jayne (1993) argued that prompting choice is important to develop the skills of decision making but should be faded to promote unrestricted independence. True or False?
True
When making referrals, behavior analysts should include as many referral options as possible. True or False?
True
You should always use precise and technical language when speaking to others outside of ABA. True or False?
True
Your RBT training should include discussions on expectations for notice required for resignation. True or False?
True
Assent
Vocal or nonvocal behavior that can be taken to indicate willingness to participate in research or behavioral services; ETHICALLY required, NOT LEGALLY required
Issues with public statements:
1) Testimonials and solicitations 2) Social media
What are the four main Core Principles of the BACB Ethics Code?
1. Benefit others 2. Treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect 3. Behave with integrity 4. Ensure their competence
For a typical case, how many days' notice is required for a BCBA to terminate/transition services?
30 days
Behavior analysts must retain records and data for at least how many years, as otherwise required by law?
7
Behavior analysts do not accept or give gifts from clients, supervisees, and trainers with a monetary value of more than:
$10 US
Continuity of Services Toolkit: 4 Steps
(1) Assess (2) Design (3) Implement (4) Evaluate
Fong et al. (2016), "Developing the Cultural Awareness Skills of Behavior Analysts" Key Points:
- Cultural contingencies shape behavior - Assessments and interventions should be selected with a consideration of cultural factors including cultural preferences and norms Cultural awareness should be integrated into service delivery, supervision, and professional development - Culture, as defined by Skinner (1953): Variables arranged by other people; Humans control contingencies of reinforcement and punishment that affect the behavior and learned reinforcers/punishers of a person or group - Distinguishable stimuli and response classes that occur in culture include: race, socioeconomic status/class, age, religion, sexual orientation. ethnicity, nationality, and geographic context - Cultural identity: an individuals set of distinguishable stimuli and response classes - Cultural awareness: discriminated operant of tacting contingencies of reinforcement and punishment administered by a group of individuals
What factors are necessary to include when using a testimonial?
- Identifiable as solicited or unsolicited - Include an accurate statement of relationship between behavior analyst and testimonial author - Comply with all applicable privacy and confidentiality laws
Factors to consider when using a leaner for company materials:
- Learner can rescind the testimonial at any time - Must obtain informed consent - Include a disclaimer of potential risks - Reduce potential for sharing
(1) Benefit Others
- Protecting welfare and rights of clients above all others - Protecting welfare and rights of other individuals with whom they interact in a professional capacity - Focusing on long and short term effects of professional activities - Actively identifying and addressing potential negative impacts of their own physical and mental health on professional activities - Actively identifying potential and actual conflicts of interest and working to resolve them in a manner that avoids or minimizes harm - Actively identifying and addressing factors that may lead to conflicts of interest, misuse of their position, or negative impacts on their professional activities - Effectively and respectfully collaborating with others in the best interest of those with whom they work, and always putting clients interests first
(4) Ensure Their Competence
- Remaining within professions scope of practice - Remaining current and increasing knowledge of best practices and advances in ABA and participating in professional development activities - Remaining knowledgeable and current about interventions (including pseudoscience) that may exist in their practice areas and pose a risk of harm to clients - Being aware of, working within, and continually evaluating the boundaries of their competence - Working to continually increase their knowledge and skills related to cultural responsiveness and service delivery to diverse groups
Problems with facilitated communication:
- Takes away the opportunity for individuals to have their own voice - Can be harmful - Communication is controlled solely by facilitators - Not scientifically valid
(2) Treat others with Compassion, Dignity, and Respect
- Treating others equitably, regardless of factors such as age, disability, ethnicity, gender expression/identity, immigration status, marital/relationship status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any other bias proscribed by law - Respecting others privacy and confidentiality - Respecting and actively promoting client's self determination to the best of their abilities, particularly when providing services to vulnerable populations - Acknowledge that personal choice in service delivery is important by providing clients and stakeholders with needed information to make informed choices about services
Who is considered a trainee?
Any individual accruing fieldwork experience towards fulfilling eligibility requirements for BCaBA or BCBA certification
Testimonal
Any solicited or unsolicited recommendation, in any form, from a client, stakeholder, supervisor, supervisee, trainee, affirming the benefits received from a behavior analysts product or service.
An incompatibility between a behavior analysts private and professional interests would be termed as:
Conflict of interest
Which ethical paradigm argues the outcome of a behavior determines whether it is right or wrong?
Consequentialism
The ability to maintain an interpersonal stance that is open to the other in relation to aspects of cultural identity is defined by the term:
Cultural humility
What term incorporates a lifelong commitment to self-evaluating and critique to address power imbalances and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with the community?
Cultural humility
Brodhead talks about 3 negative outcomes from failing to practice only within one's area of competence. Which of the following is not one of those outcomes?
The ability to expand your repertoire with clients
Who is responsible for maintaining documentation requirements when a BCBA leaves an organization?
The organization
Which core principle does the following quote attribute to? "Respecting and actively promoting clients self-determination to the best of their abilities, particularly when providing services to vulnerable population."
Treating others with compassion, dignity, and respect
A client or their parents can revoke consent at any time during treatment, even if the treatment is medically necessary. True or False?
True
Behavior analysts must describe, in writing, the objectives of the behavior change program to the client before attempting to implement the program. True or False?
True
Deontology argues context must be considered in addition to the function of behavior before deciding what is right or wrong. True or False?
True
Even if it is medically necessary, a client or a parent can give or revoke consent at any time. True or False?
True
Facilitated communication robs a person with a developmental disability of their "voice." True or False?
True
