Ethics Flashcards
What are the 3 basic ethics questions you need to ask yourself as a
Behavior analyst?
What is the right thing to do?
What is worth doing?
What does it mean to be a good behavior analyst?
What are the two kinds of ethics we need to uphold?
Personal and Professional
List the nine core ethical principles.
Do no harm,
respecting autonomy,
benefiting others,
being just,
being faithful,
according dignity,
treating others with caring and compassion,
pursuit of excellence,
accepting accountability
T/F: Behavior Analysts always try to
promote truthful and honest behavior
in others.
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts do not have any
responsibility to operate in the best
interest of their clients.
False, must act in the best interest
T/F: Behavior Analysts have a primary
obligation to protect the
confidentiality of those with whom
they work.
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts can disrupt
services at any time for any reason
False, 1. Treatment is no longer effective, 2. treatment is causing harm, 3. client requests discontinuation of services
T/F: Behavior Analysts should
recommend seeking a medical
consultation if there is any possibility
that a target behavior is influenced by
either biological or medical
conditions.
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts must design
behavior-change programs that are
consistent with behavior-analytic
principles.
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts do not need to
worry about the use of harmful
reinforcers.
False, must pay attention to any potential harmful reinforcers
T/F: Supervising and training of
supervisees must be
behavior-analytic in content and meet
the requirements for licensure,
certification, or other defined goals
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts have no
obligation to participate in
behavior-analytic professional and
scientific organizations or activities.
False, do have an obligation
T/F: Behavior Analysts should not make
public statements that are false, deceptive, exaggerated, or fradulent
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts must not solicit
or use testimonials about
behavior-analytic services from
current clients for publication on
websites or in other print or electronic
material
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts must provide
truthful and accurate information
and applications and documentation
that are submitted to the BACB.
True
T/F: Behavior Analysts should
discourage misrepresentation by
non-certified individuals.
True
Using an incorrect measurement system is an example of violating which
ethical principle?
Do no harm
Always giving choices best exemplifies which ethical principle?
According Dignity
The State of Connecticut requires licensed Behavior Analysts to renew
their license yearly. Martha did not renew her license before her most
recent one expired. Which code is being violated?
1.02 Conforming with legal requirements
Margo, a BCBA, told a family at a PPT that she would send over some class
work that they have been working on because their child has been absent
due to lingering effects of COVID-19. That meeting was a week ago and
Margo still hasn’t sent it. What code, if any, has been violated?
1.03 Accountability
Megan just passed her BCBA exam (#YAY). She is thrilled to be working in a
local school district. During her first ocial Planning and Placement Team
meeting (PPT), she talked heavily about reinforcement, discrete trial
learning, being conceptually systematic, and proposed that a compound
schedule should be implemented with the shared client across all times of
the day. She found lots of blank, confused, and dazed faces looking back
at her while speaking. What code, if any, did Megan violate?
2.08 Communicating about services
Jenna makes referrals to Dr. Goodall for Autism evaluations to clients that
approach her for services but do not yet have ocial diagnoses. About
twice a year, Dr. Goodall sends Jenna flowers with a handwritten thank you
card. Jenna always accepts the flowers and places them on the front desk
for visitors to also enjoy. What code, if any, has Jenna violated?
Jenna deserves it! (no code violation)
When should you obtain informed consent (Code 2.11 Obtaining Informed
Consent)?
-Before starting services
-Before administering an assessment
-Before changing an intervention drastically
Which of the following is outlined in a service agreement according to
Code 3.04 Service Agreement?
How to submit complaints
According to code 3.02 we must advocate for appropriate services for our
clients. These include:
-Evidence-based practices
-Behavior analytic practices
Before you begin to provide supervision to either trainees or supervisees,
you must
Take the 8 hour supervision course
According to code 4.09 Delegation of Tasks, Behavior Analysts can assign
duties to trainees and supervisees when…
-They prove they are competent
-They consent to it
According to Code 6.01, behavior analysts must take seriously the 7
dimensions of ABA. Which of the following is not one of the 7?
Efficient
Code 6.0 states that behavior analysts have an obligation to the science of
behavior and the profession to behavior analysis. Here obligation
means….
Putting our science above all other methodologies
According to code 10.02 Timely Responding, Reporting, and Updating of
Information to the BACB, you must update information within…
30 days
Molly is at a testing center and sees that a girl is allowing another
candidate to cheat o her screen. What should Molly do?
Report the girl immediately to both the testing center and the BACB
After conducting research, Sarah and Tom decide it is best to copy their
hard paper data over to electronic files. How long are they required to
keep these electronic files?
7 years
Is it ever ok to perform a favor for a client?
No, boundaries can be crossed (multiple relationship)
What is violated when gossip about clients occurs?
Confidentiality
Is it ever ok to accept a gift from a client? If so, when?
Yes under $10 (can’t become too frequent)
List two pieces of information that you must report to the BACB if it
changes.
Name, address, specialty
Name two instances where you can disclose confidential information
about a client.
Court request, mandated reporting related
When would you need to plan for avoiding service disruption
according to Code 3.14 Facilitating Continuity of Services?
Vacations, maternity leave, any planned absence
What is the difference between a supervisee and a trainee?
Supervisee is anyone that is under the direct supervision of a BCBA or
BCaBA a trainee is anyone that is accruing fieldwork hours
Code 4.07 urges supervisors to incorporate topics of diversity into
their supervisory experience. Name two topics that might be
appropriate to cover in this area
Working with clients of different: ages, gender, race, socioeconomic status, etc.
Code 6.02 Disseminating Behavior Analysis focuses on behavior
analyst’s responsibility to make information available to the public.
Name two ways we can do this.
Writing articles, speaking at conferences
According to code 10.03 Confidentiality and the BACB Intellectual
Property, when is it permissible to use the BACB logo?
Only when given permission from the BACB
Your secretary monitors your company’s website and she allows a
current client to leave a review that is available to the public and
could possibly influence their interest in enrollment. What should you
do?
Tell her to take it down, document all efforts to remove it
means that the behavior analyst must work to promote the client’s independence.
respecting autonomy
First set of official guidelines to regulate the conduct of behavior analysts.
FABA code of ethics
A situation in which a person in a position of responsibility or trust has competing professional or personal interests that make it difficult to fulfill his or her duties impartially.
Conflict of interest
When the potential recipient of services or participant in a research study gives his explicit permission before any assessment or treatment is provided. Full disclosure of effects and side effects must be provided. To give consent, the person must demonstrate the capacity to decide, do so voluntarily, and have adequate knowledge of all salient aspects of treatment.
informed consent
Core ethical principle; the behavior analyst accepts blame when necessary.
accepting responsibility
Describes a situation of trust insofar as any information regarding a person receiving or having received services may not be discussed with or otherwise made available to another person or group, unless that person has provided explicit authorization for release of such information.
confidentiality
Explicit rules about conduct that govern individuals who work in a field.
professional ethics
Core ethical principle; the behavior analyst must exhibit genuine sympathy and concern.
treating others with care and compassion
Section 1.06 of the BACB Guidelines; BACB analysts must be sensitive to the potential harmful effects of other contacts on their work and on those persons with whom they deal.
dual relationships and conflicts of interest
Rules about conduct an individual learns as a cumulative result of childhood-through-adult experiences.
personal ethics
Sharing information about clients in a manner that seems innocent, but is actually a breach of confidentiality.
gossip
Section 1.02 of the BACB Guidelines; analysts must only provide services within the boundaries of their education, training, supervised experience, or appropriate professional experience.
competence
Florida hospital that was the center of a 1972 scandal because of its horrific behavior modification practices.
Sunland Training Center
Statements that provide guidelines for members of professional associations when deciding on a course of action or conducting professional duties; standards by which graduated sanctions (such as reprimand, censure, or expulsion) can be imposed for deviating from the code.
Ethical codes of behavior
Core ethical principle; the behavior analyst must work diligently to ensure that patients are not injured in any way.
do no harm
Section 1.03 of the BACB Guidelines; analysts are required to stay current in their specialty area.
professional development
Core ethical principle; the behavior analyst must treat clients with respect and be aware that many clients are not able to effectively represent themselves.
according dignity
A request for help unrelated to treatment that may conflict with BACB Guidelines for Responsible Conduct of Behavior Analysts.
favor
Section 1.07 of the BACB guidelines; analysts do not abuse those over whom they have authority.
Exploitative relationship
Core principle of ABA; a therapist must be focused on best interests of the client and not on their own agenda
Benefiting others
When considering an ethic’s code, one should condor the BCBA’S ____ and _______ as well as the ________ of the case.
- Experience
- Training
- Complexitiy
You have been asked by a school to come in to develop a treatment for a child who has been having behavior problems in the classroom. Who is the client?
The child
What is a behavior analyst’s obligation regarding confidentiality?
Take reasonable precautions
Your colleague just started seeing a 3 year old child who has tantrums. At the intake appointment, she recommended using a chair time out while the parents collect ABC data to see if it helps. Your colleague is behaving…
Unethical because she has not yet completed a functional assessment
The behavior analyst should describe ______, ______, and ______ to the client when discussing the behavior change program objective.
- Procedures
- Risk and benefits of the procedures
- Conditions necessary for success
The last restrictive, effective procedure should be used. What should a behavior analyst consider when determining restrictiveness?
Client choice, access to reinforcers, and restriction of movement, activity, or function.
T/F: The declaration of professional services is a document that reviews rules and boundaries. It is given and reviewed with the client when the just before implementing the treatment.
False
When a behavior analyst reviews a document that outlines the importance of honest communication from clients, including about other medications or treatments, and what is expected of clients during treatment, and an attendance policy, they are discussing what part of the declaration of professional services?
Client responsibilities
Which of the following is NOT. step in behavioral skills training?
a. collect baseline data
b. provide instructions and motivate
c. model the behavior
d. practice the skill
e. implement the skill
collect baseline data
Behavior analysts should uphold the behavior analytic professional_____, _____, and ______.
a. values
b. ethics
c. principles
What is the primary question that should be asked when a conflict of interest arises?
What is in the client’s best interest?
Brodhead, Cox, & Quigley, describe evidence-based practice as a three-legged stool in which the legs are best available _______, clinical ____, and _____ values, preferences, characteristics, and circumstances.
a. evidence
b. expertise
c. client
The field of ___ and ___ have influences the definition of evidence-based practice in behavior analysis.
a. medicine
b. psychology
Competent professional interactions should include respect of ___ differences, respect of legal, regulatory, and policy _____ and limiting
a. cultural
b. barriers
c. jargon
T/F: You can know the BACB ethics code word for word, but not be able to appropriately apply it to real-world situations
True
Which category of daily ethical challenge speaks to upholding high moral principles, including responsibility to all parties involved, commitment to evidence-based treatments, and doing no harm?
Integrity
When more than one treatment is considered to be effective, what other factors may be considered?
risks and side effects, cost effectiveness, efficiency, the practitioners ability, and client preference.
When a behavior analyst is deciding between referring a client or receiving additional supervision and training to become competent, the behavior analyst should consider the __________ to become competent and the ______ of the behavior.
a. time
b. severity
core ethical principles
-according dignity
-accepting responsibility
-pursuit of excellence
-treating others with care and compassion
most frequent ethical problems
-right to effective treatment
-responsibility to recommend scientifically supported and most effective treatments
-BA assessments are sufficient to provide appropriate substantiation for their findings
-dual relationships and conflicts of interest
-functional assessment
What is social validity?
-the extent to which target behaviors are appropriate and acceptable
-intervention procedures are acceptable and best practice
-important and significant changes in target and collateral B are produced
how to maintain professional competence
-earn continuing education credits
-attend and present conferences
-reading professional literature
-presenting cases o peer groups review and oversight committees
3 tests for informed consent
-person must demonstrate CAPACITY TO DECIDE
-person’s decisions must be VOLUNTARY
-person must have ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF ALL ASPECTS OF TREATMENT
