Download BACB Ethics Code-----BACB Ethics Code----BACB Ethics Code and more Exams Advanced Education in PDF only on Docsity!
BACB Ethics Code
1.0 Responsible Conduct of Behavior Analysts - correct answer Behavior analysts maintain the high standards of behavior of the profession. 1.01 Reliance on Scientific Knowledge - correct answer Behavior analysts rely on professionally derived knowledge based on science and behavior analysis when making scientific or professional judgments in human service provision, or when engaging in scholarly or professional endeavors. 1.02 Boundaries of Competence - correct answer (a) All behavior analysts provide services, teach, and conduct research only within the boundaries of their competence, defined as being commensurate with their education, training, and supervised experience. (b) Behavior analysts provide services, teach, or conduct research in new areas (e.g., populations, techniques, behaviors) only after first undertaking appropriate study, training, supervision, and/or consultation from persons who are competent in those areas. 1.03 Maintaining Competence through Professional Development - correct answer Behavior analysts maintain knowledge of current scientific and professional information in their areas of practice and undertake ongoing efforts to maintain competence in the skills they use by reading the appropriate literature, attending conferences and conventions, participating in workshops, obtaining additional coursework, and/or obtaining and maintaining appropriate professional credentials. 1.04 Integrity - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts are truthful and honest and arrange the environment to promote truthful and honest behavior in others. (b) Behavior analysts do not implement contingencies that would cause others to engage in fraudulent, illegal, or unethical conduct. (c) Behavior analysts follow through on obligations, and contractual and professional commitments with high quality work and refrain from making professional commitments they cannot keep. (d) Behavior analysts' behavior conforms to the legal and ethical codes of the social and professional community of which they are members. (See also, 10.02a Timely Responding, Reporting, and Updating of Information Provided to the BACB)
(e) If behavior analysts' ethical responsibilities conflict with law or any policy of an organization with which they are affiliated, behavior analysts make known their commitment to this Code and take steps to resolve the conflict in a responsible manner in accordance with law. 1.06 Multiple Relationships and Conflicts of Interest - correct answer (a) Due to the potentially harmful effects of multiple relationships, behavior analysts avoid multiple relationships. (b) Behavior analysts must always be sensitive to the potentially harmful effects of multiple relationships. If behavior analysts find that, due to unforeseen factors, a multiple relationship has arisen, they seek to resolve it. (c) Behavior analysts recognize and inform clients and supervisees about the potential harmful effects of multiple relationships. (d) Behavior analysts do not accept any gifts from or give any gifts to clients because this constitutes a multiple relationship. 1.07 Exploitative Relationships - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts do not exploit persons over whom they have supervisory, evaluative, or other authority such as students, supervisees, employees, research participants, and clients. (b) Behavior analysts do not engage in sexual relationships with clients, students, or supervisees, because such relationships easily impair judgment or become exploitative. (c) Behavior analysts refrain from any sexual relationships with clients, students, or supervisees, for at least two years after the date the professional relationship has formally ended. (d) Behavior analysts do not barter for services, unless a written agreement is in place for the barter that is (1) requested by the client or supervisee; (2) customary to the area where services are provided; and (3) fair and commensurate with the value of behavior-analytic services provided. 2.0 Behavior Analysts' Responsibility to Clients - correct answer Behavior analysts have a responsibility to operate in the best interest of clients. The term client as used here is broadly applicable to whomever behavior analysts provide services, whether an individual person (service recipient), a parent or guardian of a service recipient, an organizational representative, a public or private organization, a firm, or a corporation.
(d) Behavior analysts put the client's care above all others and, should the third party make requirements for services that are contraindicated by the behavior analyst's recommendations, behavior analysts are obligated to resolve such conflicts in the best interest of the client. If said conflict cannot be resolved, that behavior analyst's services to the client may be discontinued following appropriate transition. 2.05 Rights and Prerogatives of Clients - correct answer (a) The rights of the client are paramount and behavior analysts support clients' legal rights and prerogatives. (b) Clients and supervisees must be provided, on request, an accurate and current set of the behavior analyst's credentials. (c) Permission for electronic recording of interviews and service delivery sessions is secured from clients and relevant staff in all relevant settings. Consent for different uses must be obtained specifically and separately. (d) Clients and supervisees must be informed of their rights and about procedures to lodge complaints about professional practices of behavior analysts with the employer, appropriate authorities, and the BACB. (e) Behavior analysts comply with any requirements for criminal background checks. 2.06 Maintaining Confidentiality - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts have a primary obligation and take reasonable precautions to protect the confidentiality of those with whom they work or consult, recognizing that confidentiality may be established by law, organizational rules, or professional or scientific relationships. (b) Behavior analysts discuss confidentiality at the outset of the relationship and thereafter as new circumstances may warrant. (c) In order to minimize intrusions on privacy, behavior analysts include only information germane to the purpose for which the communication is made in written, oral, and electronic reports, consultations, and other avenues. (d) Behavior analysts discuss confidential information obtained in clinical or consulting relationships, or evaluative data concerning clients, students, research participants, supervisees, and employees, only for appropriate scientific or professional purposes and only with persons clearly concerned with such matters. (e) Behavior analysts must not share or create situations likely to result in the sharing of any identifying information (written, photographic, or video) about current clients and supervisees within social media contexts. 2.07 Maintaining Records - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts maintain appropriate confidentiality in creating, storing, accessing, transferring, and
disposing of records under their control, whether these are written, automated, electronic, or in any other medium. (b) Behavior analysts maintain and dispose of records in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, corporate policies, and organizational policies, and in a manner that permits compliance with the requirements of this Code. 2.08 Disclosures - correct answer Behavior analysts never disclose confidential information without the consent of the client, exceptas mandated by law, or where permitted by law for a valid purpose, such as (1) to provide needed professional services to the client, (2) to obtain appropriate professional consultations, (3) to protect the client or others from harm, or (4) to obtain payment for services, in which instance disclosure is limited to the minimum that is necessary to achieve the purpose. Behavior analysts recognize that parameters of consent for disclosure should be acquired at the outset of any defined relationship and is an ongoing procedure throughout the duration of the professional relationship. 2.09 Treatment/Intervention Efficacy - correct answer (a) Clients have a right to effective treatment (i.e., based on the research literature and adapted to the individual client). Behavior analysts always have the obligation to advocate for and educate the client about scientifically supported, most-effective treatment procedures. Effective treatment procedures have been validated as having both long-term and short-term benefits to clients and society. (b) Behavior analysts have the responsibility to advocate for the appropriate amount and level of service provision and oversight required to meet the defined behavior-change program goals. (c) In those instances where more than one scientifically supported treatment has been established, additional factors may be considered in selecting interventions, including, but not limited to, efficiency and cost-effectiveness, risks and side-effects of the interventions, client preference, and practitioner experience and training. (d) Behavior analysts review and appraise the effects of any treatments about which they are aware that might impact the goals of the behavior-change program, and their possible impact on the behavior- change program, to the extent possible. 2.10 Documenting Professional Work and Research - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts appropriately document their professional work in order to facilitate provision of services later by them or by other professionals, to ensure accountability, and to meet other requirements of organizations or the law.
2.15 Interrupting or Discontinuing Services - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts act in the best interests of the client and supervisee to avoid interruption or disruption of service. (b) Behavior analysts make reasonable and timely efforts for facilitating the continuation of behavior- analytic services in the event of unplanned interruptions (e.g., due to illness, impairment, unavailability, relocation, disruption of funding, disaster). (c) When entering into employment or contractual relationships, behavior analysts provide for orderly and appropriate resolution of responsibility for services in the event that the employment or contractual relationship ends, with paramount consideration given to the welfare of the ultimate beneficiary of services. (d) Discontinuation only occurs after efforts to transition have been made. Behavior analysts discontinue a professional relationship in a timely manner when the client: (1) no longer needs the service, (2) is not benefiting from the service, (3) is being harmed by continued service, or (4) when the client requests discontinuation. (See also, 4.11 Discontinuing Behavior-Change Programs and Behavior-Analytic Services) (e) Behavior analysts do not abandon clients and supervisees. Prior to discontinuation, for whatever reason, behavior analysts: discuss service needs, provide appropriate pre-termination services, suggest alternative service providers as appropriate, and, upon consent, take other reasonable steps to facilitate timely transfer of responsibility to another provider. 3.0 Assessing Behavior - correct answer Behavior analysts using behavior-analytic assessment techniques do so for purposes that are appropriate given current research. 3.01 Behavior-Analytic Assessment - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts conduct current assessments prior to making recommendations or developing behavior- change programs. The type of assessment used is determined by client's needs and consent, environmental parameters, and other contextual variables. When behavior analysts are developing a behavior-reduction program, they must first conduct a functional assessment. (b) Behavior analysts have an obligation to collect and graphically display data, using behavior-analytic conventions, in a manner that allows for decisions and recommendations for behavior-change program development. 3.02 Medical Consultation - correct answer Behavior analysts recommend seeking a medical consultation if there is any reasonable possibility that a referred behavior is influenced by medical or biological variables.
3.03 Behavior-Analytic Assessment Consent - correct answer (a) Prior to conducting an assessment, behavior analysts must explain to the client the procedure(s) to be used, who will participate, and how the resulting information will be used. (b) Behavior analysts must obtain the client's written approval of the assessment procedures before implementing them. 3.04 Explaining Assessment Results - correct answer Behavior analysts explain assessment results using language and graphic displays of data that are reasonably understandable to the client. 3.05 Consent-Client Record - correct answer Behavior analysts obtain the written consent of the client before obtaining or disclosing client records from or to other sources, for assessment purposes. 4.0 Behavior Analysts and the Behavior-Change Program - correct answer Behavior analysts are responsible for all aspects of the behavior-change program from conceptualization to implementation and ultimately to discontinuation. 4.01 Conceptual Consistency - correct answer Behavior analysts design behavior- change programs that are conceptually consistent with behavior- analytic principles. 4.02 Involving Clients in Planning and Consent - correct answer Behavior analysts involve the client in the planning of and consent for behavior-change programs. 4.03 Individualized Behavior-Change Programs - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts must tailor behavior-change programs to the unique behaviors, environmental variables, assessment results, and goals of each client. (b) Behavior analysts do not plagiarize other professionals' behavior-change programs. 4.04 Approving Behavior-Change Programs - correct answer Behavior analysts must obtain the client's written approval of the behavior-change program before implementation or making significant modifications (e.g., change in goals, use of new procedures).
4.09 Least Restrictive Procedures - correct answer Behavior analysts review and appraise the restrictiveness of procedures and always recommend the least restrictive procedures likely to be effective. 4.10 Avoiding Harmful Reinforcers - correct answer Behavior analysts minimize the use of items as potential reinforcers that may be harmful to the health and development of the client, or that may require excessive motivating operations to be effective. 4.11 Discontinuing Behavior-Change Programs and Behavior-Analytic Services - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts establish understandable and objective (i.e., measurable) criteria for the discontinuation of the behavior change program and describe them to the client. (See also, 2.15d Interrupting or Discontinuing Services) (b) Behavior analysts discontinue services with the client when the established criteria for discontinuation are attained, as in when a series of agreed-upon goals have been met. (See also, 2.15d Interrupting or Discontinuing Services) 5.0 Behavior Analysts as Supervisors - correct answer When behavior analysts are functioning as supervisors, they must take full responsibility for all facets of this undertaking. 5.01 Supervisory Competence - correct answer Behavior analysts supervise only within their areas of defined competence. 5.02 Supervisory Volume - correct answer Behavior analysts take on only a volume of supervisory activity that is commensurate with their ability to be effective. 5.03 Supervisory Delegation - correct answer a) Behavior analysts delegate to their supervisees only those responsibilities that such persons can reasonably be expected to perform competently, ethically, and safely. b) If the supervisee does not have the skills necessary to perform competently, ethically, and safely, behavior analysts provide conditions for the acquisition of those skills. 5.04 Designing Effective Supervision and Training - correct answer Behavior analysts ensure that supervision and trainings are behavior-analytic in content, effectively
and ethically designed, and meet the requirements for licensure, certification, or other defined goals. 5.05 Communication of Supervision Conditions - correct answer Behavior analysts provide a clear written description of the purpose, requirements, evaluation criteria, conditions, and terms of supervision prior to the onset of the supervision. 5.06 Providing Feedback to Supervisees - correct answer a) Behavior analysts design feedback and reinforcement systems in a way that improves supervisee performance. b) Behavior analysts provide documented, timely feedback regarding the performance of a supervisee on an ongoing basis. 5.07 Evaluating the Effects of Supervision - correct answer Behavior analysts design systems for obtaining ongoing evaluation of their own supervision activities. 6.0 Behavior Analysts' Ethical Responsibility to the Profession of Behavior Analysis - correct answer Behavior analysts have an obligation to the science of behavior and profession of behavior analysis. 6.01 Affirming Principles - correct answer a) Above all other professional training, behavior analysts uphold and advance the values, ethics, and principles of the profession of behavior analysis. b) Behavior analysts have an obligation to participate in behavior-analytic professional and scientific organizations or activities. 6.02 Disseminating Behavior Analysis - correct answer Behavior analysts promote behavior analysis by making information about it available to the public through presentations, discussions, and other media. 7.0 Behavior Analysts' Ethical Responsibility to Colleagues - correct answer Behavior analysts work with colleagues within the profession of behavior analysis and from other professions and must be aware of these ethical obligations in all situations. 7.01 Promoting an Ethical Culture - correct answer Behavior analysts promote an ethical culture in their work environments and make others aware of this Code.
(c) Behavior analysts do not advertise non-behavior-analytic services as being behavior-analytic.(d) Behavior analysts do not identify non-behavior-analytic services as behavior-analytic services on bills, invoices, or requests for reimbursement.(e) Behavior analysts do not implement non-behavior-analytic services under behavior-analytic service authorizations. 8.02 Intellectual Property - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts obtain permission to use trademarked or copyrighted materials as required by law. This includes providing citations, including trademark or copyright symbols on materials, that recognize the intellectual property of others. (b) Behavior analysts give appropriate credit to authors when delivering lectures, workshops, or other presentations. 8.03 Statements by Others - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts who engage others to create or place public statements that promote their professional practice, products, or activities retain professional responsibility for such statements. (b) Behavior analysts make reasonable efforts to prevent others whom they do not oversee (e.g.,employers, publishers, sponsors, organizational clients, and representatives of the print or broadcast media) from making deceptive statements concerning behavior analysts' practices or professional or scientific activities. (c) If behavior analysts learn of deceptive statements about their work made by others, behavior analysts correct such statements. (d) A paid advertisement relating to behavior analysts' activities must be identified as such, unless it is apparent from the context. 8.04 Media Presentations and Media-Based Services - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts using electronic media (e.g., video, e-learning, social media, electronic transmission of information) obtain and maintain knowledge regarding the security and limitations of electronic media in order to adhere to this Code. (b) Behavior analysts making public statements or delivering presentations using electronic media do not disclose personally identifiable information concerning their clients, supervisees, students, research participants, or other recipients of their services that they obtained during the course of their work, unless written consent has been obtained. (c) Behavior analysts delivering presentations using electronic media disguise confidential information concerning participants, whenever possible, so that they
are not individually identifiable to others and so that discussions do not cause harm to identifiable participants. (d) When behavior analysts provide public statements, advice, or comments by means of public lectures, demonstrations, radio or television programs, electronic media, articles, mailed material, or other media, they take reasonable precautions to ensure that (1) the statements are based on appropriate behavior-analytic literature and practice, (2) the statements are otherwise consistent with this Code, and (3) the advice or comment does not create an agreement for service with the recipient. 8.05 Testimonials and Advertising - correct answer Behavior analysts do not solicit or use testimonials about behavior-analytic services from current clients for publication on their webpages or in any other electronic or print material. Testimonials from former clients must identify whether they were solicited or unsolicited, include an accurate statement of the relationship between the behavior analyst and the author of the testimonial, and comply with all applicable laws about claims made in the testimonial. Behavior analysts may advertise by describing the kinds and types of evidence- based services they provide, the qualifications of their staff, and objective outcome data they have accrued or published, in accordance with applicable laws. 8.06 In-Person Solicitation - correct answer Behavior analysts do not engage, directly or through agents, in uninvited in-person solicitation of business from actual or potential users of services who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence. Organizational behavior management or performance management services may be marketed to corporate entities regardless of their projected financial position. 9.0 Behavior Analysts and Research - correct answer Behavior analysts design, conduct, and report research in accordance with recognized standards of scientific competence and ethical research. 9.01 Conforming with Laws and Regulations - correct answer Behavior analysts plan and conduct research in a manner consistent with all applicable laws and regulations, as well as professional standards governing the conduct of research. Behavior analysts also comply with other applicable laws and regulations relating to mandated-reporting requirements.
influence their willingness to participate; and answer any other questions participants may have about the research. 9.04 Using Confidential Information for Didactic or Instructive Purposes - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts do not disclose personally identifiable information concerning their individual or organizational clients, research participants, or other recipients of their services that they obtained during the course of their work, unless the person or organization has consented in writing or unless there is other legal authorization for doing so. (b) Behavior analysts disguise confidential information concerning participants, whenever possible, so that they are not individually identifiable to others and so that discussions do not cause harm to identifiable participants. 9.05 Debriefing - correct answer Behavior analysts inform the participant that debriefing will occur at the conclusion of the participant's involvement in the research. 9.06 Grant and Journal Reviews - correct answer Behavior analysts who serve on grant review panels or as manuscript reviewers avoid conducting any research described in grant proposals or manuscripts that they reviewed, except as replications fully crediting the prior researchers. 9.07 Plagiarism - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts fully cite the work of others where appropriate. (b) Behavior analysts do not present portions or elements of another's work or data as their own. 9.08 Acknowledging Contributions - correct answer Behavior analysts acknowledge the contributions of others to research by including them as co-authors or footnoting their contributions. Principal authorship and other publication credits accurately reflect the relative scientific or professional contributions of the individuals involved, regardless of their relative status. Minor contributions to the research or to the writing for publications are appropriately acknowledged, such as, in a footnote or introductory statement. 9.09 Accuracy and Use of Data - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts do not fabricate data or falsify results in their publications. If behavior analysts discover
errors in their published data, they take steps to correct such errors in a correction, retraction, erratum, or other appropriate publication means. (b) Behavior analysts do not omit findings that might alter interpretations of their work. (c) Behavior analysts do not publish, as original data, data that have been previously published. This does not preclude republishing data when they are accompanied by proper acknowledgment. (d) After research results are published, behavior analysts do not withhold the data on which their conclusions are based from other competent professionals who seek to verify the substantive claims through reanalysis and who intend to use such data only for that purpose, provided that the confidentiality of the participants can be protected and unless legal rights concerning proprietary data preclude their release. 10.0 Behavior Analysts' Ethical Responsibility to the BACB - correct answer Behavior analysts must adhere to this Code and all rules and standards of the BACB. 10.01 Truthful and Accurate Information Provided to the BACB - correct answer (a) Behavior analysts only provide truthful and accurate information in applications and documentation submitted to the BACB. (b) Behavior analysts ensure that inaccurate information submitted to the BACB is immediately corrected. 10.02 Timely Responding, Reporting, and Updating of Information Provided to the BACB - correct answer Behavior analysts must comply with all BACB deadlines including, but not limited to, ensuring that the BACB is notified within thirty (30) days of the date of any of the following grounds for sanctioning status: (a) A violation of this Code, or disciplinary investigation, action or sanction, filing of charges, conviction or plea of guilty or no contest (i.e., nolo contendere) by a governmental agency, health care organization, third-party payer or educational institution. Procedural note: Behavior analysts convicted of a felony directly related to behavior analysis practice and/or public health and safetyshall be ineligible to apply for BACB registration, certification, or recertification for a period of three (3) years from the exhaustion of appeals, completion of parole or probation, or final release from confinement (if any), whichever is later; (See also, 1.04d Integrity) (b) Any public health- and safety-related fines or tickets where the behavior analyst is named on the ticket; (c) A physical or mental condition that would impair the behavior analysts' ability to competently practice; and
10.05 Compliance with BACB Supervision and Coursework Standards - correct answer Behavior analysts ensure that coursework (including continuing education events), supervised experience, RBT training and assessment, and BCaBA supervision are conducted in accordance with the BACB's standards if these activities are intended to comply with BACB standards(See also, 5.0 Behavior Analysts as Supervisors) 10.06 Being Familiar with This Code - correct answer Behavior analysts have an obligation to be familiar with this Code, other applicable ethics codes, including, but not limited to, licensure requirements for ethical conduct, 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. 10.07 Discouraging Misrepresentation by Non-Certified Individuals - correct answer Behavior analysts report non-certified (and, if applicable, non-registered) practitioners to the appropriate state licensing board and to the BACB if the practitioners are misrepresenting BACB certification or registration status.
