These answers draw in part from “Behavior Analysis in the Age of COVID-19, Social Unrest, and Discrimination” by Corina Jimenez-Gomez, PhD, BCBA-D (BehaviorLive), and extend it with peer-reviewed research from our library of 27,900+ ABA research articles. Clinical framing, BACB ethics code references, and cross-links below are synthesized by Behaviorist Book Club.
View the original presentation →The pandemic created genuine ethical dilemmas where code elements appeared to conflict. Behavior analysts faced decisions about whether in-person services posed unacceptable health risks while recognizing that service discontinuation also harmed clients. Supervision quality decreased as direct observation became difficult to maintain remotely. Telehealth introduced equity issues when families lacked technology or private space. Informed consent processes had to be revised to address new risks and limitations. Many practitioners experienced moral distress when organizational decisions about service delivery conflicted with their professional judgment about client welfare.
Knowledge of behavioral principles does not automatically override cultural attitudes and implicit biases. Behavior analysts, like all people, are influenced by the cultural narratives that frame substance use as a moral failing rather than as behavior maintained by reinforcement contingencies. Additionally, behavior analysis training programs may not adequately address substance use disorders or may not explicitly connect behavioral principles to this population. The finding that behavior analysts hold similar attitudes to the general public suggests that professional training needs to more directly address and counter these biases through explicit education and experiential learning.
Antiracist ABA practice includes examining whether assessment tools and methods are valid across racial and ethnic groups, evaluating whether treatment recommendations account for cultural context and systemic barriers, ensuring service delivery models are accessible to all populations, collecting and analyzing outcome data disaggregated by race and ethnicity, recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce, addressing discriminatory practices within organizations, and educating practitioners about how systemic racism affects client behavior and outcomes. It applies behavioral analysis to organizational and systemic practices, not just individual behavior.
A systematic approach is recommended. First, identify all relevant code elements and how they apply. Second, gather information about the full context, including all stakeholder perspectives. Third, consider the potential consequences of different courses of action. Fourth, consult with colleagues who bring diverse perspectives. Fifth, document the reasoning behind the decision. Sixth, monitor outcomes and adjust if needed. The goal is not to find a perfect solution but to make a well-reasoned decision that can be transparently justified. Code 1.04 requires behavior analysts to resolve ethical dilemmas by considering all relevant factors.
Moral distress occurs when a practitioner knows the right course of action but is prevented from taking it by organizational, institutional, or systemic constraints. During the pandemic, behavior analysts experienced moral distress when organizations prioritized revenue over client safety, when insurance requirements conflicted with clinical judgment, when telehealth limitations prevented adequate assessment, and when systemic inequities limited certain clients' access to services. Moral distress can lead to burnout, decreased job satisfaction, reduced clinical effectiveness, and departure from the profession. Addressing it requires organizational and systemic changes, not just individual coping.
Start with validated implicit bias assessment tools to identify areas where biases may exist. Engage in reflective practice, examining your clinical decisions for patterns that might indicate differential treatment based on client characteristics. Solicit feedback from colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds. Develop concrete behavior change plans: identify the specific behaviors influenced by bias, establish alternative responses, create prompts and accountability structures, and monitor your behavior over time. Treat bias reduction as a professional development objective with measurable goals, consistent with the behavioral approach you apply in all other areas of practice.
Behavior analysis has conceptual tools, including cultural practices analysis, institutional contingency analysis, and rule-governed behavior frameworks, that are directly applicable to systemic issues. The field can contribute to social justice by analyzing how institutional contingencies maintain discriminatory practices, designing interventions at the organizational and policy level, evaluating the effectiveness of social programs using behavioral methods, and training practitioners to consider systemic variables in their clinical work. The challenge is that these applications require expanding beyond the individual focus that has historically dominated the field.
Advocacy should be informed by data, grounded in ethical obligations, and conducted within the scope of professional competence. For individual clients, this means documenting how discrimination affects their behavior and treatment access, and advocating within service systems for equitable treatment. For systemic advocacy, behavior analysts should collaborate with professionals who have policy expertise, use behavioral methods to evaluate and improve institutional practices, and leverage their data-driven approach to make evidence-based recommendations. Code 3.01 supports advocacy as part of acting in clients' best interests.
From a behavioral perspective, substance use is operant behavior maintained by reinforcement contingencies, including the positive reinforcement of the substance's pharmacological effects and the negative reinforcement of withdrawal relief or escape from aversive emotional states. Environmental factors, including social contingencies, availability, and lack of competing reinforcement, influence the development and maintenance of substance use patterns. Behavioral interventions such as contingency management, which provides tangible reinforcement for abstinence, have strong evidence bases. This behavioral understanding stands in contrast to moralistic framings that attribute substance use to character defects.
Effective programs should be behavior-based rather than awareness-based only. Define specific behavioral targets, such as equitable assessment practices, inclusive hiring behaviors, and culturally responsive communication. Use behavioral skills training methods including instruction, modeling, practice, and feedback. Collect data on behavioral outcomes, not just participant satisfaction. Address organizational contingencies that maintain discriminatory practices, not just individual attitudes. Include ongoing training rather than one-time events. Involve practitioners from diverse backgrounds in program design and delivery. Evaluate program effectiveness using equity metrics across the organization.
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Behavior Analysis in the Age of COVID-19, Social Unrest, and Discrimination — Corina Jimenez-Gomez · 1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $10
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279 research articles with practitioner takeaways
258 research articles with practitioner takeaways
256 research articles with practitioner takeaways
1 BACB Ethics CEUs · $10 · BehaviorLive
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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.