ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF BEHAVIOR-MODIFICATION - HISTORICAL AND CURRENT ISSUES

A number of social factors are combining to raise the profile of ethic al issues for behavior analysts and behavior-modification professional s, as for all psychologists. Some popular misconceptions have led to b ehavior modification being seen as coercive. These misconceptions are rebutted, and the ethical basis of behavior modification in behavioral analysis is examined. The key features of contemporary behavioral ana lysis and behavior modification are the public specification of object ives and methods, and the use of functional analysis. However, current problems with functional analysis may make the use of higher order pr inciples such as professional codes of ethics appropriate. Ethical con cerns raised by the particular examples of social validity measures an d parent training programs are reviewed. These emphasize the importanc e of putting behavior modification into its social context and thus en suring that the Values of the wider community are acknowledged.