Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Issues Chapter 30

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Historical Implications Cultural history, and personal experiences with others abusing power, taught people to react negatively to behavior modification This term evokes many negative feelings

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Behavioral View of Ethics Ethics – standards of behavior developed by culture to promote the survival of that culture Ethical guidelines are an important source of behavioral control when immediate reinforcers influence individuals to behave in a way that leads to aversive stimuli for others When members of the same culture learn to follow the same ethical guidelines, the guidelines exert rule-governed control over behavior

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Arguments Against Deliberately Controlling Behavior Because of history and experiences, some have argued that all attempts to control behavior are unethical Goal of any social help profession involve change in behavior and behavior control It is often necessary to change, manage, influence, or control behavior –It is necessary to ensure that it is done ethically

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Guidelines Organizations that have addressed ethical guidelines involved in behavior modification: –Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (ABCT) (formerly, the Association for the Advancement of Behavior Therapy) –American Psychological Association (APA) –Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) (formerly, ABA)

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Guidelines Based on: –1977, Behavior Therapy, publication of a set of ethical questions to ask –1978, Stolz & Associates, a comprehensive report on ethical issues involved in behavior modification –1988, Van Houten et al., The Behavior Analyst, published a statement of clients’ rights –2002, American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Considerations Qualifications of the Behavior Modifier –Must receive appropriate training – academic and supervised practical training –Procedures being used are the most up-to- date –Steps to ensure countercontrol and accountability: Supervision by members of ABAI, ABCT, or both Various certification bodies, such as the Behavior Analysis Certification Board

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Considerations Definition of Problem and Selection of Goals –Target behaviors selected must be most important for client and society –Emphasis on teaching functional, age-appropriate skills –For those with handicaps, focus on teaching skills that promote independent functioning –Goals should be consistent with the basic rights of the client to dignity, privacy, and humane care –Steps to ensure countercontrol and accountability: Require behavior modifier to clearly specify his or her values relating to client’s problems Client as an active participant in the selection of goals and the identification of target behaviors

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Considerations Selection of Treatment Method –Use the most effective, empirically-validated methods with the least discomfort and fewest negative side effects –Use least intrusive and restrictive interventions –No agreement on a continuum of intrusiveness or restrictiveness Interventions based on positive reinforcement are considered less intrusive than interventions based on aversive control Intrusive and restrictive sometimes refer to the extent to which clients are given choices and allowed freedom of movement in a therapeutic environment “Intrusive” and “restrictive” sometimes refer to the extent to which consequences are deliberately managed as opposed to naturally occurring –Steps to ensure countercontrol and accountability Informed consent Ethical review committees

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. Ethical Considerations Recordkeeping and Ongoing Evaluation –Maintenance of accurate data throughout the program Behavioral assessment before the program Ongoing monitoring of target behavior Possible side-effects Appropriate follow-up evaluation after treatment –Confidentiality to be respected at all times –Steps to ensure countercontrol and accountability: Client access to records Frequent discussions with client about progress in the program Periodic peer evaluation of data