Ethics for Behavior Analysts: A Practical Guide to the Behavior Analyst Certification Board Guidelines for Responsible Conduct

by Jon S. Bailey, Mary R. Burch

Behavior analysis, a rapidly growing profession, began with the use and application of conditioning and learning techniques to modify the behavior of children or adults presenting severe management problems, often because of developmental disabilities. Now behavior analysts work in a variety of settings, from clinics and schools to workplaces. Especially since their practice often involves aversive stimuli or punishment, they confront many special ethical challenges. Recently, the Behavior Analysis Certification Board codified a set of ten fundamental ethical guidelines to be followed by all behavior analysts and understood by all students and trainees seeking certification.

This book shows readers how to follow the BACB guidelines in action. The authors first describe core ethical principles and then explain each guideline in detail, in easily comprehensible, everyday language. The text is richly illuminated by more than a hundred vivid case scenarios about which the authors pose, and later answer questions for readers. Useful appendices include the BACB Guidelines, an index to them, practice scenarios, and suggested further reading.

Practitioners, instructors, supervisors, students, and trainees alike will welcome this invaluable new aid to professional development.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, School, Textbooks, Education, Science, Autistic Spectrum Disorder

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

Reviews

[Thomas Edmund]

I don't want to start a review stating that I struggle with ethics - but in terms of studying for the BCBA exam the ethical questions were hard to learn with precision, questions like when to introduce a punishment element, terminate services, decline services and so forth. Ethics for Behaviour Analysts confronts these issues with clarity and easy to digest language (not to lampoon ABA resources but often they are dry to a fault) using the BACB guidelines as a reference.

[Amber]

Thoroughly explained in a very conversational tone each of the Ethics Code standards and gave real-life scenarios for each one. I enjoyed reading the scenarios. Really challenged me to consider how I might handle each one, and often found myself wanting to turn to the page where it discusses how they were resolved/reconciled becaise I was genuinely curious. Ethics can be a dry topic, but the authors did a good job bringing it back to life and making it feel like pertinent, applicable information.

[Jill]

Required reading for BCaBA coursework. Vignettes of ethical situations are a bit contrived.

[Kelsey Mckenzie]

I expected this book to be boring, but was pleasantly surprised. The author uses real life scenarios and easy to follow explanations to teach this important subject.

[Amanda]

Given the dry topic, this book was well written and easy to follow. It was a relatively short and concisely written romp through the BCAB code of ethics, if that could ever be short or a romp.

[jenny]

Detailed examples, perfect explanations , everything you need to know about your ethics

The number 1 book I would definitely recommend to a student whom is just getting started on their ABA journey.

[Ariel]

This was the easiest read that I have had in graduate school so far. I really enjoyed reading this text and I felt that it greatly increased my knowledge based related to the ethics code in place for behavioral analysts.

[Kevin Yuen]

It's an ethics textbook. Explains ethics well and has good examples and that's all I can ask for.

[Cori Tyler]

The definitive book on Ethics in Applied Behavior Analysis.

[Meredith]

A must read for anyone pursuing ABA.

[Marnie]

They paint issues as black and white when there really is room for discussion. Do they not see the grey area? Is it more than they wanted to tackle? Thankfully I am reading this book in the context of a post-grad ethics class which provided opportunities for further analysis.

On another note, I resent the sexist remarks the authors make about Jenny McCarthy. She was a hack and I have no professional respect for her, but there's no reason to fall back on her personal choice to be a playboy bunny to demonstrate what an awful person she is. A woman can do what she wants with her body, and it in no way effects the quality of her work (I use "work" loosely in the case of McCarthy) positively or negatively. The remark is a cheap shot, and lends an unnecessary tone of misogyny to a text that will likely be read by many, many professional women (given that it's written for BCBAs).

[Liesalu]

This is a great ABA ethics book. It uses clear language (i.e. easy read)and provides realistic scenarios within the text for practicing the guidelines being described. I am technically taking off 1/4 of a star because answers to the Appendix C scenarios would have been great to include but were not (checking your answers is always nice).

[Dawn Ryan]

I had to read this for my post-grad program. I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually enjoyable to read for a book on what can be a very dry subject. Logically laid out and clear. Much better than many of the other books and articles I've read on ethics for professionals.

[S]

Third time reading it and still very reinforcing!! A must read for students of behaviour analysis, behaviour analysts in training, behaviour analysts or aspiring BCBAs. Great examples, scenarios and ethical dilemmas. Would be referring back to it as I continue to practice in the ABA field.

[Jill B]

Not that bad, for an ethics textbook.

[Emma Le claire]

Essential book for Behavior Analysts should use when attempting to understand Ethics in behavior

[Valeria]

Very readable book that presents commonly encountered ethical dilemmas with illustrative examples. Great addition to any behavior analyst's bookshelf.

[Danielle]

It's good for what it is, a very structured book in which to learn the guidelines.

[Ali Headley]

Must read to be certified. Definitely an ethics book but is written as an easy read.

[Stefanie Lamontagne walsh]

One of the best school books I have read! Definitely an eye-opener! Great real-life scenarios.