ABSTRACT
Knowing the ethics code backward and forward does not guarantee that behavior analysts will always be effective in helping others understand the code. In most situations, there are several opportunities each week to educate someone and indicate why the code is important for those who strive to deliver effective treatment. The first part of being effective is recognizing when something that is not quite right. The second part is knowing what to say and how to say it when witnessing an ethical problem. This can be difficult, especially for new, younger BCBAs who may have to bring the ethics message to someone who is older and has a lot more experience. All BCBAs should know and should follow the ethics code, but it is easy to slip into bad habits. Being ethical every day is hard work, and people, even good people, will sometimes respond to increased response cost with an unethical, knee-jerk reaction. If no one says anything and nothing bad happens, the behavior is likely to occur again. Supervisors can become so overwhelmed with responsibilities that they don’t always remember the code. Parents are often so consumed with trying everything and anything that might work for their child they don’t to the time to ask whether there is research to back up a claim. Being ethical is a colossal responsibility. It is hard work, but if being ethical were easy, everyone would be ethical. Behavior analysts should be strong, always stay on the right side of ethics, and deliver the ethics message whenever possible.
