ABSTRACT
Behavior analysis, although growing rapidly as a profession (G. L.
Shook, personal communication, May 30, 2004), is still a very small field
when compared to other related areas such as social work or clinical psy-
chology. For the most part, we are not yet on the radar screens of most
Americans, and, based on our past experience, we know that unethical
conduct by a small number of persons can reflect badly on our whole
field. If we are to gain the trust of the public we must set a very high stan-
dard of moral and ethical conduct. To be an ethical behavior analyst
means not only upholding these Guidelines for your protection and the
protection of your clients, but also preserving and enhancing the repu-
tation of behavior analysis in general. Guideline 8.0 makes it clear that
each and every one of us should “support the values of the field.” This no
doubt includes the nine core ethical principles discussed in chapter 2 as
well as those values inherent in a behavioral approach. In addition to
honesty, fairness, taking responsibility, and promoting autonomy, be-
havior analysts also promote the value of objective, reliable data in de-
termining treatment effectiveness, in the use of that data in decision
making, and in focusing on individual behavior as our primary focus of
study. Behavior analysts value novel assessments, effective nonintrusive 175
interventions, and the production of socially significant changes in be-
havior that have worth to the individual and to society. We believe in op-
timizing each individual’s worth, dignity, and independence and in
developing the repertoires necessary to accomplish these goals. It is
sometimes necessary to remind our colleagues of these basic values and
this Guideline provides this occasion.
