Clinical and research practices of behavior therapists are identified in which the potential for ethical misapplication, underconcern, or insensitivity may arise. An analysis of ethical concerns associated with the following five phases of behavioral intervention is next developed: problem identification, establishing behavioral objectives, designing behavior change, implementing behavior change, and evaluation and feedback of the behavior change endeavor. The article concludes by examining the practice of behavior modification from a sociolegal perspective, with special emphasis on developments within the patients' rights movement.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Allyon, T. , & Skuban, W.Accountability in psychotherapy: A test case. Journal of Behavior Therapy & Experimental Psychiatry, 1973, 4, 19-30.
2.
American Psychological Association . Casebook on ethical standards of psychology. Washington, D.C., 1967 (1974 revision).
3.
Begelman, D. A.Ethical and legal issues in behavior modification. In M. Hersen, R. M. Eisler, & P. M. Miller (Eds.), Progress in behavior modification. New York: Academic Press, 1975.
4.
Bennett, R. A. , & McNamara, J. R.The death of a token economy: What happens to the patients? Paper submitted for presentation, 1977.
5.
Berkowitz, B. P. , & Graziano, A. M.Training parents as behavior therapists: A review. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 1972, 10, 297-317.
6.
Berwick, P. , & Morris, L.Token economies: Are they doomed?Professional Psychology, 1974, 5, 434-439.
7.
Braun, S. H.Ethical issues in behavior modification . Behavior Therapy, 1975, 6, 51-62.
8.
Butterfield, W. H. , & Schwitzgebel, R. K.Psychology under legislative control-Medical devices bill, implications of the medical device amendments of 1976. Behavioral Engineering, 1976, 3, 103-104.
9.
Clonce v. Richardson, 379 F. Supp. 338. W. D. Mo., 1974.
10.
Davidson, P. O. , Clark, F. W., & Hamerlynck, L. A. (Eds.) Evaluation of behavioral programs in community, residential and school settings. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1974.
11.
DeRisi, W. J. , & Butz, G.Writing behavioral contracts: A case simulation manual. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1975.
12.
Fairweather, G. W. , Sanders, D. H., Maynard, H., & Cressler, D. L.Community life for the mentally ill. Chicago: Aldine: 1969.
13.
Fairweather, G. W. , Sanders, D. H., Tornatzky, L. G., & Harris, R. N.Creating change in mental health organizations. New York: Pergamon, 1974.
14.
Farr, G. L. , & Seaver, W. B.Stress and discomfort in psychological research: Subjects perceptions of experimental procedures. American Psychologist, 1975, 30, 770-773.
15.
Foreyt, J. P. , Rockwood, C. E., Davis, J. C., Desvousges, W. H., & Hollingsworth, R.Benefits cost analysis of a token economy program. Professional Psychology, 1975, 6, 26-33.
16.
Foster, G. G. , Ysseldyke, J. E., & Reese, J. H."I wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't believed it."Exceptional Children, April, 1975, 469-473.
17.
Friedman, L. M.Contract law in America. Milwaukee: University of Wisconsin Press, 1965.
18.
Gottman, J. M. , & Leiblum, S. R.How to do psychotherapy and how to evaluate it: A manual for beginners. New York: Holt, 1974.
19.
Graubard, P. S. , Rosenberg, H., & Miller, M. B.Students' applications of behavior modification to teachers and environments or ecological approaches to social deviance. In E. A. Ramp & B. L. Hopkins (Eds.) A new direction for behavior analysis (Vol. 1). Lawrence: University of Kansas Department of Human Development, 1971.
20.
Gripp, R. F. , & Magaro, P. A.The token economy program in the psychiatric hospital: A review and analysis. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 1974, 12, 205-228.
21.
Halleck, S. L.Legal and ethical aspects of behavior control . American Journal of Psychiatry, 1974, 131, 381-385.
22.
Hamerlynck, L. A. , Handy, L. C., & Mash, E. J.Behavior change: Methodology, concepts, and practice. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1973.
23.
Hogan, R.A dimension of moral judgment . Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1970, 35, 205-212.
24.
Homme, L. , Csanyi, A. P., Gonzales, M. A., & Rechs, J. R.How to use contingency contracting in the classroom. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1970.
25.
Isele, W. P.Malpractice liability of the mental health professional . Professional Psychology, 1975, 6, 399-412.
26.
Kagel, J. H. , & Winkler, R. C.Behavioral economics: Areas of cooperative research between economics and applied behavior analysis. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972, 5, 335-342.
27.
Kaimowitz, v. Michigan Department of Mental Health. Civil No. 73-1934-AW. Cin Ct. Wayne County, Mich., filed July 10, 1973.
28.
Katz, J.The right to treatment—an enchanting legal fiction?University of Chicago Law Review, 1969, 36, 755-783.
29.
Kazdin, A. E.Methodological and assessment considerations in evaluating reinforcement programs in applied settings . Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1973, 6, 517-531.
30.
Knecht v. Gillman. 488F and 1136-1137. 8th Cir. 1973.
31.
Krapfl, J. E.Accountability for behavioral engineers. In W. S. Wood (Ed.) Issues in evaluating behavior modification. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1975.
32.
London, P.Behavior control. New York: Harper & Row, 1969.
33.
MacDonough, T. S. , & McNamara, J. R.Design-criterion relationships in behavior therapy with children. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry & Allied Disciplines, 1973, 14, 271-282.
34.
McNamara, J. R.Ways by which outcome measures influence outcomes in classroom behavior modification research . Journal of School of Psychology, 1975, 13, 104-113.
35.
McNamara, J. R.Ethical standards in psychological research: Reported versus claimed use . A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Psychological Association, Hollywood, Florida, May 6, 1977.
36.
McNamara, J. R. , & MacDonough, T. S.Some methodological considerations in the design and implementation of behavior therapy research. Behavior Therapy. 1972, 3, 361-378.
37.
McNamara, J. R. , & Murphy, W. D.Man versus machine: A comparison of relaxation training procedures. A paper presented at the annual meeting of the Midwest Association of Behavior Analysis, Chicago, May 1974.
38.
McNamara, J. R. , & Woods, K. M.Ethical considerations in psychological research: A comparative review. Behavior Therapy, 1977, 8, 703-708.
39.
Martin, R.Legal challenges to behavior modification: Trends in schools, corrections and mental health. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1975.
40.
Miller, G. A.Assessment of psychotechnology . American Psychologist, 1970, 25, 991-1101.
41.
Mischel, W.Personality and assessment. New York: John Wiley, 1968.
42.
Mitford, J.Kind and usual punishment: The prison business. New York: Knopf, 1973.
43.
Nelson, R. O. , & Bowles, P. E.The best of two worlds-observations with norms. Journal of School Psychology, 1975, 13, 3-9.
44.
O'Leary, K. D.Behavior modification in the classroom: A reply to Winett and Winkler . Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972, 5, 505-511.
45.
Olmstead, v. United States. 277 U. S. 438 (1928) at 478.
46.
Risley, T. R.Certify procedures not people. In W. S. Wood (Ed.) Issues in evaluating behavior modification. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1975.
47.
Rolf, J. S.The social and academic competence of children vulnerable to schizophrenia and other behavioral pathologies . Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1972, 80, 225-243.
48.
Rosenblatt, A.Providing custodial care for mental patients: An affirmative view . Psychiatric Quarterly, 1974, 48, 14-25.
49.
Schwitzgebel, R. K.A contractual model for the protection of the rights of institutionalized mental patients . American Psychologist, 1975, 30, 815-820.
50.
Shuller, D. , & McNamara, J. R.Expectancy factors in behavioral observation. Behavior Therapy, 1976, 7, 519-527.
51.
Skinner, B. F.Beyond freedom and dignity. New York: Knopf, 1971.
52.
Stuart, R. B.Notes on the ethics of behavior research and intervention. In L. A. Hamerlynck, L. C. Handy, & E. J. Mash (Eds.) Behavior change: Methodology, concepts and practice. Champaign, Ill.: Research Press, 1973.
53.
Thibaut, J. & Kelley, H.The social psychology of groups. New York: John Wiley, 1959.
54.
Tremerlin, M. K.Suggestion effects in psychiatric diagnosis . Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1968, 147, 349-353.
55.
U. S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare . Institutional guide to DHEW policy on protection of human subjects. (DHEW Publication No (NIH) 72-102.) Washington, D.C.: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, 1971.
56.
Walker, H. M. , & Buckley, N. K.Programming generalization and maintenance of treatment effects across time and across settings. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972, 5, 209-224.
57.
Wexler, D. B.Therapeutic justice . Minnesota Law Review, 1972, 57, 289-338.
58.
Wexler, D. B.Token and taboo: Behavior modification, token economies and the law . California Law Review, 1973, 61, 81-109.
59.
Winett, R. A. , & Winkler, R. C.Current behavior modification in the classroom: Be still, be quiet, be docile. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1972, 5, 499-504.
60.
Woody, R. H.Behavioral problem children in the schools: Recognition, diagnosis, and behavior modification. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1969.
61.
Wyatt v. Stickney. 344 Federal Supplement 373, 380. Middle District, Alabama, 1971.
