This comparison draws in part from “Ethical Decision-Making in ABA: A Guide for Practitioners” by Courtney Chase, MS, BCBA (BehaviorLive), and extends it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. The decision framework, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →When confronted with an ethical dilemma, behavior analysts generally respond in one of two ways. Some apply a systematic decision-making framework: identifying the issue, gathering information, consulting the code, evaluating options, and documenting their reasoning. Others rely on intuition and experience, making decisions based on their immediate sense of what feels right, their past experiences with similar situations, or the advice of the nearest colleague. Both approaches can lead to defensible decisions in straightforward cases, but they diverge significantly when the dilemma is complex, when multiple ethical standards compete, or when the decision will face external scrutiny.
| Factor | Evidence-Based Approach | Traditional Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Process transparency | Decision-making steps are explicit, documented, and available for review by others | Decision-making process is internal and difficult to articulate or defend if questioned |
| Consistency across situations | The same analytical process is applied regardless of the emotional intensity or personal stakes of the dilemma | Decisions may vary based on mood, stress level, relationship with the parties involved, or personal stakes |
| Identification of blind spots | Structured steps (stakeholder analysis, option generation, consultation) reveal considerations that might otherwise be missed | Blind spots are more likely to persist because the process does not include deliberate checks for them |
| Speed of decision-making | Takes more time initially but reduces the need to revisit or reverse decisions later | Faster in the moment but more likely to result in decisions that need to be corrected or defended after the fact |
| Defensibility under scrutiny | Documented process provides a clear record of reasoning that can withstand review by licensing boards or employers | Difficult to demonstrate due diligence when the reasoning was never articulated or recorded |
| Professional growth | Practitioners build a library of analyzed cases that informs future decision-making and develops ethical sophistication | Experience accumulates but is not systematically organized or analyzed, limiting its value for future dilemmas |
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ on-demand CEUs including ethics, supervision, and clinical topics like this one. Plus a new live CEU every Wednesday.
Use this framework when approaching ethical decision-making in aba: a guide for practitioners in your practice:
Does the data support a need for intervention? Is there a meaningful impact on the individual's quality of life, safety, or access to reinforcement?
YES → Proceed to assessment NO → Document reasoning, monitor
A functional assessment should guide intervention selection. Avoid defaulting to standard protocols without individual analysis. Consider environmental variables, setting events, and private events.
YES → Select evidence-based approach matched to function NO → Complete assessment first
Goals should be co-developed. Assent and informed consent are ethical requirements. The individual's preferences and values matter in selecting both goals and methods.
YES → Proceed with collaborative plan NO → Engage in shared decision-making
This course covers the clinical and ethical dimensions in detail with structured learning objectives and CEU credit.
Ethical Decision-Making in ABA: A Guide for Practitioners — Courtney Chase · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $8
Take This Course →We extended this decision guide with research from our library — dig into the peer-reviewed studies behind each approach, in plain-English summaries written for BCBAs.
280 research articles with practitioner takeaways
279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $8 · BehaviorLive
Research-backed educational guide
Research-backed answers for behavior analysts
All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.