SPCE 619: Professional Issues in Applied Behavior Analysis
BACB 6th Edition Test Content Outline Items to Cover
▪ Identify and describe the dimensions of Applied Behavior Analysis (A-5)
▪ Identify and apply core principles underlying the ethics for BACB® certificants (e.g.
benefiting others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrit y).
(E-1)
Outline
In this section, provide a comprehensive outline for the BACB Test Content Outline items
above. You may only use content from this course. You may use your textbook, assigned
articles, lectures, or instructional materials. You may not use content from outside of this
course.
(A-5) Dimensions of ABA
• Applied: this dimension involves using socially significant techniques to improve the
learner’s life. The behaviors vary based on the learner, so goals and interventions must
apply specifically to that person.
• Behavioral: in this dimension the treatment plan must be measurable and observable.
It should involve things that translate into data to show the learner’s progress.
• Analytic: in this dimension ABA stems from scientific research with analyzable data.
In this dimension experts use evidence-based research data, and objective information
to determine goals and targeted behaviors. The dimension allows for making educated
choices about implementing specific interventions and setting goals.
• Technological: in this dimension intervention plans include procedures detailed in
technological terms because they are evidence-based and replicated. The procedures
will be clearer and more concise so interventionists can understand and implement the
plan.
• Conceptually Systematic: in this dimension interventionists will use research-based
techniques. Methods that could be used in this dimension would be positive
reinforcement, punishment, prompting, modeling, and/or extinction.
• Effective: in this dimension an effective intervention improves learner’s behavior and
reduces their challenging behavior in a practical functional manner.
• Generality: in this dimension behavior has generality if that behavior can be sustained
over time, appears in different environments and settings, and extends to a range of
associated behaviors.
• E-1) Core Principles of ABA
• Benefits Others: Behavior analysts work to maximize benefits and do no harm by
o Protecting the welfare and rights of clients above all others
o Protecting the welfare and rights of other individuals with whom they interact
, in a professional capacity.
o Actively identifying and addressing factors that might lead to conflicts of inters,
misuse of their position, or negative impacts on their professional activities
• Treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect: behavior analysts behave
towards others with compassion, dignity and respect by:
o Treating others equitably, regardless of factors such as age, disability, ethnicity,
gender expression/identity, immigration status, martial/relationship status,
national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or any
other basis proscribed by law.
o Respecting others’ privacy and confidentiality
o Acknowledging that personal choice in service delivery is important by
providing the clients and stakeholders with needed information to make
informed choices about services.
• Behave with integrity: Behavior analysts fulfill responsibilities to their scientific and
professional communities, to society in general, and to the communities they serve by:
o Behaving in an honest and trustworthy manner
o Not mispresenting themselves, misrepresenting their work or others’ work, or
engaging in fraud
o Holding themselves accountable for their work and the work of their
supervisees and trainees, and correcting errors in a timely manner.
• Ensure their competence: behavior analyst ensure their competence by:
o Remaining within the profession’s scope of practice
o Remaining current and increasing their knowledge of best practices and
advances in ABA and participating in professional development activities
o Remaining knowledgeable and current about interventions that may exist in
their practice areas and pose a risk of harm to clients.
Deprived of
one-on- SD
one Response Sr+
attention Child played byself
Child plays quietly Praised given
for a short while I cleaned house
to child
period of
time
Response SO
Child throws a fit Praise withheld