1. Jasmina, a BCBA-D, is supervising Barry, an aspiring behavior analyst.

Despite Barry’s
accurate implementation of therapy procedures, he consistently arrives late, makes errors in
data collection, and submits late or incomplete written work. Upon reviewing the ungraphed skill
acquisition data, Jasmina discovers that a client's progress has stalled, and program updates
are overdue. Considering the ethical responsibilities to her supervisee and clients, Jasmina
must address Barry's organizational and time management skills to prevent future
incompetence. Which of the following steps should Jasmina take first?

A) Jasmina should design a comprehensive professional development plan, including training in

time management and organization, and a system of positive reinforcement.

B) Jasmina should reflect on her supervisory practices to ensure she has clearly communicated
her performance expectations to Barry, and if not, use basic instructions, modeling, rehearsal,
and feedback to address his deficiencies.

C) Jasmina should involve a senior supervisor to conduct a review of Barry’s performance and
possibly recommend his termination if no immediate improvement is noticed.

D) Jasmina should focus on correcting the immediate issue of ungraphed data, ensuring that
Barry understands how to perform this task correctly, while temporarily ignoring his other
organizational failings.

Correct Answer: B
- Rationale: Before implementing any corrective measures, it’s essential for Jasmina to ensure
that she has explicitly communicated her expectations regarding Barry’s performance. If she
has not yet provided specific feedback on issues like punctuality and quality of written work, she
should start with basic training methods such as instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and
feedback, as suggested by Sellers, LeBlanc, and Valentino (2016). This approach targets
Barry’s problematic behaviors directly and offers a foundation for more comprehensive
interventions if needed.
2. Dr. Elena, a behavior analyst, is planning to initiate a new treatment program involving
intensive behavioral interventions for children with autism. Before starting, she must ensure
proper informed consent is obtained. Given the information below, which scenario best
represents Dr. Elena obtaining valid informed consent?

A) Dr. Elena provides the parents with a detailed consent form that includes information about
the treatment's potential benefits and risks. After briefly explaining the form, she asks the
parents to sign it if they agree to proceed with the treatment for their child.

B) Dr. Elena schedules a meeting with the parents to discuss the treatment. She presents a
consent form that outlines the treatment procedures, potential risks, and benefits. She ensures
that the parents understand each point and encourages questions, waiting for them to read the
document thoroughly before signing.

C) After explaining the treatment procedures, risks, and benefits to the parents and giving them
the consent form, Dr. Elena asks them to take the form home, discuss it among themselves,
and return it signed at the next appointment if they decide to proceed.

D) Dr. Elena hands out a consent form at the beginning of the session and discusses the
general benefits of behavioral interventions. She emphasizes the high success rates of her
methods and assures the parents that their child is likely to benefit, requesting their signature to
start treatment as soon as possible.

Correct Answer: B
- Rationale: This option best satisfies the three criteria for valid informed consent: capacity to
decide, voluntariness, and adequate knowledge. Dr. Elena not only provides detailed
information about the treatment but also ensures that the parents understand the information by
encouraging questions and allowing them to read the document thoroughly before signing. This
process ensures that the parents are making an informed, voluntary decision with sufficient
understanding of the treatment implications.

- Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:

- A) Although Dr. Elena provides a detailed consent form, merely asking the parents to sign
after a brief explanation may not ensure that they fully understand all aspects of the treatment or
feel free to ask questions, potentially compromising their capacity to make an informed decision.
- C) While taking the form home allows the parents time to consider their decision, there's less
opportunity for immediate clarification of doubts or questions they might have about the
treatment, which might limit their understanding and thus the adequacy of their knowledge.
- D) This approach potentially pressures the parents by emphasizing success rates and
rushing consent, which can affect the voluntariness of their decision and possibly distort the
adequacy of their understanding by not fully explaining the risks.
3. Question: Dr. Kim, a behavior analyst, is eager to enroll participants in a new research study
examining the effects of a novel behavioral intervention for adolescents with ADHD. She is
meeting with Maria, the mother of a potential participant, to discuss the study and obtain
informed consent. Dr. Kim provides Maria with the consent form and explains both the potential
benefits and risks of the study. She notes that many participants have shown improvements in
similar studies and mentions that there are only a few spots left, suggesting that Maria should
decide quickly. Which aspect of informed consent is Dr. Kim violating?

A) Adequate knowledge
B) Capacity to decide
C) Voluntariness
D) Transparency

Correct Answer: C) Voluntariness

- Rationale: Dr. Kim is violating the aspect of voluntariness in the informed consent process. By
urging Maria to make a quick decision because of limited availability, Dr. Kim is creating a sense
of urgency that could pressure Maria into making a decision without thoroughly considering all
aspects of her child’s participation. Voluntariness ensures that consent is given freely and
without coercion, manipulation, or undue influence, which is compromised in this scenario.

- Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:

- A) Adequate knowledge: While it's crucial, there's no indication that Dr. Kim failed to provide
all necessary information about the risks and benefits. The issue arises more from how the
consent is solicited rather than the completeness of the information provided.
- B) Capacity to decide: This refers to the individual's ability to understand the information and
make a decision based on that understanding. There is no suggestion that Maria lacks the
capacity to decide; the issue is the pressure applied, not her understanding.
- D) Transparency: This is not a standard part of the informed consent criteria listed and
doesn't specifically relate to the ethics violation depicted. Transparency generally relates to
openness in process, and while important, the primary issue here is the pressure to make a
quick decision.

4. Question: Dr. Thompson, a behavior analyst, is initiating a pilot study to evaluate a new
behavioral therapy for children with anxiety disorders. She meets with Janet, the mother of a
potential participant, to discuss the study and obtain informed consent. During their meeting, Dr.
Thompson briefly explains the potential benefits of the study, focusing mainly on its innovative
approach and past successes with similar therapies. However, she glosses over the potential
risks and specific procedures involved, quickly moving to have Janet sign the consent form so
they can proceed. Which aspect of informed consent is Dr. Thompson most likely violating?

A) Capacity to decide
B) Transparency
C) Voluntariness
D) Adequate knowledge

Correct Answer: D) Adequate knowledge

- Rationale: Dr. Thompson is violating the aspect of adequate knowledge required for informed
consent. By not fully explaining the potential risks and specific procedures of the study, she fails
to provide Janet with all the pertinent information necessary for making an informed decision
about her child's participation. Adequate knowledge ensures that all relevant details about the
benefits, risks, procedures, and implications of participation are clearly communicated to the
decision-maker.

- Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:

- A) Capacity to decide: There's no indication that Janet lacks the mental capacity to make a
decision; the issue lies in the incomplete information provided to her.
- B) Transparency: While transparency is important and somewhat related to providing full
information, it more directly refers to the openness and honesty of the overall process, which is
not the central issue highlighted here.
- C) Voluntariness: There's no direct evidence that Janet is being coerced or pressured into
making a decision; the main problem is the lack of comprehensive information that would allow
for a fully informed consent.

5. Question: Dr. Evans, a behavior analyst, is preparing to start a new intervention study
targeting social skills development in young adults with autism spectrum disorder. She arranges
a meeting with Alex, a potential participant who is 21 years old and lives independently. At the
end of their first meeting, after explaining the study fully, including all the potential benefits and
risks, Dr. Evans provides a consent form. Which aspect of informed consent is Dr. Evans most
likely violating?

A) Adequate knowledge
B) Capacity to decide
C) Voluntariness
D) No violations likely occurred

Correct Answer: B) Capacity to decide

- Rationale: Dr. Evans is likely violating the capacity to decide aspect of informed consent. She
fails to ensure that Alex fully understands the study and its implications, which is crucial for
assessing his capacity to make an informed decision. While Alex lives independently, this alone
does not confirm his ability to comprehend and evaluate the information related to the study.
Proper assessment of capacity to decide involves confirming that the individual has the mental
faculties and understanding necessary to make an informed choice.

- Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:

 - A) Adequate knowledge: Although this could also be a concern, the primary issue here is not
just the provision of information but specifically assessing whether Alex can understand and
process that information due to his condition.
- C) Voluntariness: There is no explicit mention of coercion or undue pressure regarding the
decision to participate; the main issue is the assumption about Alex's capacity without proper
evaluation.

6. Question: Dr. Helen, a behavior analyst, is attending a national conference where she
presents a case study involving a minor client. During her presentation, she includes a
video showcasing the client's progress without blurring the client's face or altering the
voice. Dr. Helen mentions that she received verbal consent from the client's parents to
use the video for educational purposes. Considering the ethical guidelines on
maintaining confidentiality, which aspect did Dr. Helen fail to address properly?

A) Adequate safeguarding of the client’s identity

B) Legal requirement for written consent for use of identifiable information
C) Ensuring that the information shared is strictly for educational purposes
D) Obtaining necessary permissions from the conference organizers

Correct Answer: B) Legal requirement for written consent for use of identifiable
information

● Rationale: Dr. Helen failed to properly address the requirement for written
consent when using identifiable information about a client, especially a minor.
Verbal consent is not sufficient when disclosing identifiable information in public
or semi-public settings such as conferences. This failure compromises the
client's confidentiality and violates HIPAA regulations, which emphasize the
necessity of written consent to ensure the privacy and protection of medical and
personal information.
● Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:
● A) Adequate safeguarding of the client’s identity: While this is also a
concern because the client’s face and voice were not altered, the critical
error lies in the lack of written consent, which is a legal requirement.
● C) Ensuring that the information shared is strictly for educational
purposes: Although Dr. Helen used the information for educational
purposes, this does not alleviate the need for written consent. The
purpose of the sharing does not negate the requirement for proper
consent procedures.
● D) Obtaining necessary permissions from the conference organizers:
While obtaining permissions from organizers is important for presentation
logistics, it does not address the ethical or legal requirements regarding
client confidentiality and consent.
7. Question: Dr. Silva, a behavior analyst working in a residential facility for adults with
cognitive disabilities, is planning to redesign the common areas and introduce a new
activity schedule. Recognizing the importance of maintaining client dignity, Dr. Silva
wishes to align her decisions with ethical practices in behavioral services. What should
be her first action to ensure she honors the dignity of the resident?

A) Consult with other professionals to gather expert opinions on the best design for the
common areas.
B) Conduct an assessment of the current facilities to determine what physical
improvements are needed.
C) Arrange meetings with the residents to solicit their input and preferences for the new
designs and activity schedule.
D) Implement a pilot version of the new activity schedule to observe potential benefits
and drawbacks before full implementation.

Correct Answer: C) Arrange meetings with the residents to solicit their input and
preferences for the new designs and activity schedule.

● Rationale: The first and most crucial action Dr. Silva should take is to involve the
residents in the decision-making process. This step honors the principle of
allowing clients to make choices about their environment and the activities
available to them. By soliciting input and preferences directly from the residents,
Dr. Silva ensures that their choices are respected, which is fundamental in
maintaining dignity and fostering a sense of control over their living conditions.
● Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:
● A) Consult with other professionals to gather expert opinions on the best
design for the common areas. While expert input is valuable, the priority
should be the residents' preferences, as they are the ones directly affected
by any changes.
● B) Conduct an assessment of the current facilities to determine what
physical improvements are needed. Although understanding the physical
needs of the space is important, it does not directly address the ethical
principle of involving clients in decisions that impact their daily lives.
● D) Implement a pilot version of the new activity schedule to observe
potential benefits and drawbacks before full implementation. Testing the
activity schedule is a practical approach, but it should occur after involving
the residents in the planning process to ensure their choices are reflected
in any proposed changes.

8. Question: Dr. Allen, a behavior analyst, is working with a multidisciplinary team that
includes medical doctors and occupational therapists to develop a comprehensive
treatment plan for a client with multiple disabilities. One of the team members proposes
a new therapy that is not widely recognized or supported by evidence in behavior
analysis. Dr. Allen is unsure about the efficacy of this therapy but wants to maintain a
collaborative team environment. Prior to making any decisions, what should be Dr.
Allen’s first step to address this situation while adhering to the ethical guidelines for
coordinating with other professionals and ensuring effective treatment monitoring?

A) Accept the therapy to avoid conflict and maintain harmony within the team, planning
to assess its effectiveness retrospectively.
B) Conduct a thorough review of the proposed therapy using Brodhead’s flowchart to
assess its safety, compatibility, and efficacy and plan to collect data on the outcomes.
C) Do not consider the proposed therapy and insist on using only behavior-analytic
interventions that are familiar and proven effective.
D) Schedule a team meeting to openly discuss the therapy, ensuring that all members,
including Dr. Allen, are educated about its theoretical basis and potential impacts on the
client, and agree on a data collection plan for assessing treatment outcomes.

Correct Answer: B) Conduct a thorough review of the proposed therapy using

Brodhead’s flowchart to assess its safety, compatibility, and efficacy and plan to collect
data on the outcomes before discussing it with the team.

● Rationale: Dr. Allen should first thoroughly evaluate the proposed therapy using
an objective and structured method like Brodhead’s flowchart. This step will help
him determine the therapy’s appropriateness in terms of safety, compatibility,
and potential efficacy. Additionally, planning to collect outcome data is crucial as
it provides empirical evidence of the therapy’s effectiveness, ensuring that any
subsequent discussions or decisions about the therapy are informed by solid
data rather than assumptions or incomplete information.
● Why Other Answers Are Less Correct:
● A) Accept the therapy to avoid conflict and maintain harmony within the
team, planning to assess its effectiveness retrospectively. While
maintaining team harmony is valuable, accepting an unverified treatment
without preliminary evaluation and relying only on retrospective data
collection can jeopardize client care and does not meet ethical standards
for informed decision-making.
● C) Immediately reject the proposed therapy and insist on using only
behavior-analytic interventions that are familiar and proven effective,
without further data collection. This response is overly rigid and
dismissive of potential interdisciplinary contributions, limiting the potential
for holistic client care.
● D) Schedule a team meeting to openly discuss the therapy, ensuring that
all members, including Dr. Allen, are educated about its theoretical basis
and potential impacts on the client, and agree on a data collection plan for
assessing treatment outcomes. While collaborative discussion is
important, Dr. Allen should first independently assess the therapy’s validity
and plan for data collection to ensure he can guide the discussion
effectively and advocate for the client’s best interests based on objective
analysis.