Ethics for Behavior Analysts

Readings

You should review Chapter 20: "Self-Management" in your Behavior Modification text and read Chapter 29: "Ethical Considerations for Applied Behavior Analysts" in your Applied Behavior Analysis text.

The following course outcomes are assessed with the Unit 9 Assignment:

- Determine the best behavior modification techniques to apply in different scenarios.

- Demonstrate college-level communication through the composition of original materials in Standard American English.

- Conduct oneself to reflect the characteristics and culture of a given work setting.

Ethics for Behavior Analysts

Assignment consists of an analysis of questions related to two separate case studies. Each case presents a problem that you, the future behavior analyst, will need to assess. In order for you to accomplish this, you will design an effective (hypothetical) behavior modification program based on your hypothesized function of the target behavior and a plan to evaluate this modification program. You will draw upon the scientific method of inquiry to guide you in this Assignment.

Prepare for the analysis questions by completing the following for each case study:

• Provide a full and accurate description of the target behavior for each case and the rationale for selection.

• For each case, provide a hypothesis of the reinforcement contingencies maintaining the behavior. Based on this hypothesis, discuss why the previous interventions may not have been successful.

• Next, use operant conditioning techniques to provide an accurate and thorough behavior modification for each case based on the hypothesis above. Be sure to discuss this in the context of the use single-subject designs in behavior analysis and how the individual serves as his or her own control.

• Finally, you will discuss the assessment of each behavior modification plan by describing how you will determine if the selected behavior modification plan was effective (be sure to outline the dimension of behavior(s) you are measuring and how you will make a data-based conclusions on the progress)

Each case covers the theories, concepts, and research that you have learned about this term. Your written Assignment should consist of information mainly from the two texts. If necessary you may use supplemental readings. You may also use sources from the Kaplan Library, but all supplementary material should be from peer-reviewed behavior analytic journals only.

After reading each case and conducting the analysis as guided above, please fully provide the information listed below.

Answers to the questions should be typed up in a Word document, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font, follow all other APA formatting and citation guidelines, and be submitted to the Unit 9 Assignment Dropbox. Your answers should be 4 pages for each case in order to address all required parts of the Assignment.

Case 1: The Case of Emily

1. Briefly recap the case and identify the most important target behavior. Provide a clear definition and why it is important to target this behavior.

2. Discuss which inadvertent reinforcement strategy may have contributed to Emily's school refusal and why. Formulate a hypothesis regarding what intervention will result in a specific level and direction of desired change in the target behavior.

3. Choose an effective behavior modification program to help Emily's parents to help her improve her target behavior and to test your previously stated hypothesis. Discuss why you chose that program and how you would implement the strategy.

4. Discuss how you will monitor the program and analyze the results. Make sure to include what you would consider to be a successful intervention. Discuss changes you could make to the plan if the expected outcome was not attained.

Case 2: The Case of Mr. Smith

1. Briefly recap the case and identify the most important target behavior. Provide a clear definition and why it is important to target this behavior.

2. Discuss why Mr. Smith's previous interventions may not have been successful. Formulate a hypothesis regarding what intervention will result in a specific level and direction of desired change in the target behavior.

3. Choose an effective behavior modification program to help Mr. Smith with his company and to test your previously stated hypothesis. Discuss why you chose that program and how you would implement the strategy.

4. Discuss how you will monitor the program and analyze the results. Make sure to include what you would consider to be a successful intervention.

Make sure to use APA formatting and citation style to credit the sources you use in your case study analysis. For additional information, refer to the APA Quick Reference found in Course Home or to the Kaplan Writing Center. You can access the Writing Center from the Academic Tools tab in any unit or with the following link: https://kucampus,kaplan,edu/MyStudies/AcademicSupportCenter/WritingCenter/Index.aspx.

You must credit authors when you:

• Summarize a concept, theory, or research
• Use direct quotes from the text or articles

Assignment Case Study Transcripts

Case 1: The Case of Emily

Your newest client is 6-year-old Emily who was referred to you by her pediatric psychologist because she has been engaging in challenging behaviors. Her parents tell you that her challenges started when she started first grade. She told her parents that she did not want to go to school because it was not fun anymore. Initially, she was just reluctant to go but now she is having screaming tantrums in which she cries and bangs her head on the floor. At the same time that the tantrums started occurring, Emily also began to refuse to sleep in her own bed; she would only fall asleep if she was in her parents' bed. Sometimes, Emily's parents would wait until she fell asleep and then carry her back to her own room. However, Emily often would wake up and then cry and scream and wake the entire family. Both parents feel tired and frustrated and have now resigned themselves to allowing Emily to sleep in their room. Her parents have been very concerned about these outbursts and initially let her stay home from school while they tried to figure out what was bothering her. A meeting with Emily's teacher revealed that she generally behaves well at school and her basic academic skills appear to be at grade level. As a behavior analyst, you need to decide what to do first to help Emily and her family.

Case 2: The Case of Mr. Smith

Mr. Smith just walked into your office because he is having problems at work and he needs the help of a behavior analyst. Mr. Smith owns a company that manufactures custom figure skates. It is a small company with 30 employees who are all trained to do the highly specialized work it takes to make these skates. For the last year, absenteeism has become a big problem. In fact, so many employees are absent so often that the company has not been able to keep up with their productivity in order to meet important deadlines. This has threatened the health of the company. Mr. Smith first tried offering coffee and donuts in the morning to show his employees that they were highly valued. This did not change anything. He also held a meeting and explained to everyone that if the absenteeism continued and their productivity continues to drop, the factory may have to close down permanently. This made the absenteeism worse. So Mr. Smith has come to your office hoping you can help him with his employees.