E-1: Identify and apply core principles underlying the ethics codes for BACB certificants (e.g., benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity) ©
Our downloadable PDF review guides have an expanded Ethics section, including the full Ethics Code items, along with multiple ethical decision making models. Click here!
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Target Terms: ethics code, core principles, benefit others, treat others with compassion dignity and respect, behave with integrity
Benefit others. Our work should be about meaningful change for those in our care. Of course, we have our own needs and boundaries. However, we should prioritize what our clients need.
- Examples: understanding client goals and unique strengths and programming for them!
Treating others with compassion, dignity, and respect. We should treat people like individuals with their own reasons for doing what they do. We should value people, even if they challenge or disagree with us.
- Examples: examining our own biases, assuming good intentions, staying professional.
Behave with integrity. We should teach people that they can trust us and rely on us to communicate when issues come up.
- Examples: being on time, following through on commitments, advocating for the profession.
Ensure competence. We should only do professional tasks that we can do well! Clients deserve providers who have received appropriate training and supervision.
- Examples: monitor own skill set, seek additional learning opportunities, say “no” if out of scope of competence.
Please note some super important FAQs about the Ethics part of the TCO:
Is the Ethics Code part of the Task List or Test Content Outline? Well..not really. Unlike the rest of the TCO, which is its “own thing,” Part E is really a highlight reel of a separate and longer document. That document is called the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (link here). Remember that the TCO reflects the parts of the Ethics Code that will show up on the certification exam.
If I go through the TCO items in section E, do I really need to read the actual code? Seems long and boring. YES, you totally and absolutely DO need to read the entire Ethics Code for our profession. Prepping to be a professional is not just about passing a test.
How do I interpret the Ethics Code in specific situations? That’s not for us to tell you. The ethics sections were trickier for us to put together than the other items in the review section. That’s because the items having to do with the science of behavior are straightforward, in a factual sense. Ethics codes are subject to interpretation, cultural influence, and changes over time. We have done our best to help you understand without telling you what to think. Our best advice? Become familiar with ethical problem solving models, and talk to colleagues, supervisors, and mentors.