Types of Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas in ABA often involve conflicts between competing ethical principles, between ethical obligations and organizational demands, or between the interests of different stakeholders. Common scenarios include: a supervisor asking you to implement a procedure you are not trained to use, a parent requesting punishment-based procedures, conflicting recommendations from team members, and discovering that a colleague is practicing outside their scope of competence.
Decision-Making Framework
When facing an ethical dilemma: (1) Identify the specific ethical issue or conflict. (2) Consult the BACB Ethics Code for relevant sections. (3) Identify all stakeholders and how each option would affect them. (4) List all possible courses of action. (5) Evaluate each option against ethical principles and the Ethics Code. (6) Select the option that best protects client welfare while adhering to ethical standards. (7) Implement and document your decision. (8) Monitor the outcome and adjust if needed.
Hierarchy of Ethical Obligations
When ethical obligations conflict, prioritize in this order: (1) Client welfare and safety (always the highest priority). (2) Legal requirements (mandatory reporting, court orders). (3) Ethics Code compliance. (4) Organizational policies. If your employer asks you to do something that violates the Ethics Code, the Code takes precedence. Document the conflict and attempt to resolve it through appropriate channels.
Exam Strategy
Ethics questions on the BCBA exam present scenarios and ask what the behavior analyst should do. Always choose the answer that prioritizes client welfare, follows the Ethics Code, and takes the most direct and responsible action. Avoid answers that defer responsibility, ignore the problem, or prioritize convenience over ethics.