Dana Do’s: How to Use the Ethics Code to Help Answer Questions on the BCBA® Exam

Did you know that using the core principles underlying the Code can help you discriminate answers on the Big exam? If you find that an ethics-related scenario doesn’t quite hit on one of the Code standards perfectly, or you find yourself in a grey area wondering if the scenario is actually unethical, is it a violation, or is it even problematic? If you are unsure, take that scenario and look at it through the lens of the core principles: benefit others; treat others with compassion, dignity, and respect; behave with integrity, and ensure confidence.

Ask yourself:

  • Does this scenario compromise the practitioner’s ability to benefit others? Does it only benefit the practitioner instead of benefiting other people? If yes, then there may be an ethical dilemma.
  • Does the scenario describe a situation in which the practitioner is not treating others with compassion, dignity, and respect? If it does, there may be an ethical dilemma.
  • Does the scenario describe a practitioner who is not behaving with integrity? Whether it’s not fulfilling responsibilities to the profession or to people, or being dishonest in some aspect of their professional life? If so, there may be an ethical dilemma.
  • Is there a scenario in which a practitioner is not practicing within our profession’s scope of practice, or within their own scope of competence? Or, they’re not maintaining or ensuring competence? If so, then there may be an ethical dilemma.

So on test questions, don’t just look for clear-cut Code standard violations. If test questions describe practitioners not behaving in a way that honors the core principles, then there may be a Code violation.

6th Edition TCO
  • E. Ethical and Professional Issues  
  • 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).  
  • BEPW
  • Code
  • Mini Mocks E
  • Study Manual
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    FINAL 5th Edition Run. Limited Quantity. FINAL SALE - NO RETURNS, REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES AFTER 9/24/24

    Universally recognized as the “other white book”, the comprehensive PTB ABA Exam Study Manual organizes and breaks down the complete 5th Edition Task List, distilling the Cooper text (Applied Behavior Analysis by John Cooper, Timothy Heron and William Heward) to include all critical exam concepts. The Manual is structured for quick navigation, contextualized with situational and relatable examples, salient visuals, and detailed explanations. In its 11th year of publication, the Manual is widely regarded as an ideal study companion and ABA bible, proving valuable as a quick reference tool beyond the exam. Save! Manual is $99 when purchased with the PTB 5th Edition Big Exam Prep Workshop. FREE SHIPPING (U.S. ONLY): Delivery within 7 - 10 business days. PRIORITY SHIPPING (U.S. ONLY): Delivery within 3 - 5 business days for an additional fee. Select USPS Priority at checkout. NOTE: Due to the Canada Post strike, international mail service to Canada has been disrupted. Because of this, PTB has temporarily suspended shipping to Canadian addresses until further notice.
  • Let's break down a BCBA® mock exam question about ethics.Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Ethics Question: What's the Magic Number? The Ideal Supervisory Load
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller reviews a BCBA® mock exam question about an ethical consideration for behavior analysts. Discover the significance of independent decision-making to ensure client well-being. Refer to BACB® Ethics Code For Behavior Analysts Section 4.03: Supervisory Volume (see 1.02, 1.05, 2.01)
  • Let's break down a BCBA® exam prep question about ethics.Let's Break Down a BCBA® Mock Exam Question: Flex Your Ethics Muscles ➠ How Well Do You Know the Code?
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller explores the main sections of the Code (4th edition BACB® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts), explaining each section's significance and the ethical responsibilities. Refer to the 4th Edition BACB® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts: All Sections
  • Test your ABA Ethics Terminology: Multiple RelationshipsTest Your ABA Ethics Terminology ➠ Multiple Relationships
    At all costs, avoid multiple relationships. Refer to BACB® | Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts | Section 1.11: Multiple Relationships
  • PTB founder Dana Meller follows up on a tricky edition of Name That Term to explain derived stimulus relation vs. stimulus equivalence.Dana Do's: Clarifying Confusion Between Derived Stimulus Relation and Stimulus Equivalence
    PTB founder Dana Meller clarifies confusion to explain derived stimulus relation vs. stimulus equivalence.
  • For BCBA® exam candidates, time management is the name of the game right now. PTB has 5 additional ways to better organize a packed schedule.Perfect Timing: More Tips for Better Time Management
    There are (unfortunately) only 24 hours in a day– and that goes for everyone, including Beyoncé. For BCBA® exam candidates, time management is the name of the game right now.…
  • Eight guidelines for modeling.Dana Do's: 8 Guidelines for Using Modeling
    Get ready to model as PTB founder Dana Meller walks you through the eight specific guidelines for using modeling.
  • How to assess quality test prep materials.Three Hallmarks of High Quality Test Prep
    Preparing for the BCBA® exam is a marathon– and a dizzying one at that. There are an overwhelming number of options out there for study materials… So how do you…
  • What kind of learner are you? PTB co-founder Dana Meller spells out the differences between flashcards and SAFMEDS, so you can pick the best study tool based on how you learn.Dana Do's: SAFMEDS or Flashcards? How to Choose the Tool Most Effective for You
    What kind of learner are you? PTB co-founder Dana Meller spells out the differences between flashcards and SAFMEDS so you can pick the best study tool based on how you learn.
  • Power through your exam prep with foods that fuel.Fuel Your Focus: 5 Foods That Help You Study
    Preparing for the BCBA® exam takes focus, stamina, and a whole lot of brain power. You’ve got to learn the entire Task List– from top to bottom– plus, the ethics…
  • The PTB ABA Exam Study Manual: A Guide to the Other 'White Book'
    The PTB ABA Exam Study Manual has become a mainstay of BCBA® exam prep– and with good reason. Expertly written to break down the critical Task List information the BACB®…
  • Get the Scoop: What You Need to Know About the BACB’s Transition to the 6th Edition
    You may have heard horror stories about the last BACB transition from the 4th to the 5th edition Task List. Not without good reason, too. The 5th edition brought changes to the supervision requirements, an increase to the number of test questions, and the introduction of the Ethics Code. Luckily, this time around won’t be such a shake up. Candidates caught on the cusp of this transition will be relieved to know that most of the updates are minor. Many find these transitions intimidating and overwhelming because they think they’ll have to learn an entire list of new information. Thankfully, that’s not the case. Think of it as more of a restructuring, rather than a total revamp.
  • Dana's Do's: Struggling with ABA Jargon? Watch This.
    The clinical jargon of ABA can be one of the most intimidating parts of BCBA® exam prep. However, as PTB co-founder Dana Meller explains, understanding the source material like textbooks and literature— no matter how dense they may be— is imperative for exam day success.
  • 5-Foods to boost your brainpower when studying for the BCBA® exam5 Foods to Boost Brainpower While Studying
    #1 Green tea You’d be hard pressed to find an ABA student who isn’t reaching for caffeine in one form or another. Try sipping on green tea the next time…
  • PTB co-founder offers a new approach to reframing your mindset when answering questions on the BCBA® exam that may help you beat the odds.Dana Do's: What Would Cooper Do?
    PTB co-founder offers a new approach to reframing your mindset when answering questions on the BCBA® exam that may help you beat the odds.
  • How to Know When You're Ready to Sit for the BCBA® ExamDana Do's: How to Know When You're Ready to Sit for the BCBA® Exam
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller talks about measuring exam readiness. How do you know if you’re ready to sit?
  • How to Make Time for Studying for the BCBA® ExamDana Do's: How to Make Time for Studying for the BCBA® Exam
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares helpful tips about incorporating studying into your already busy lives.
  • You know what they say about making assumptions on the BCBA® exam.Dana Do's: The Problem With Making Assumptions on the BCBA® Exam
    PTB co-founder Dana Meller shares practical insight on the importance of approaching exam questions at face value.
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