Paper details:
Ethics for Behavior Analysts
Your Unit 9 Assignment consists of an analysis of questions related to two separate case studies. Each case
presents a problem that you, the future behavior analyst, will need to assess. In order for you to accomplish
this, you will design an effective (hypothetical) behavior modification program based on your hypothesized
function of the target behavior and a plan to evaluate this modification program. You will draw upon the
scientific method of inquiry to guide you in this Assignment. The case studies are located in the Course
Documents area.
Prepare for the analysis questions by completing the following for each case study:
Provide a full and accurate description of the target behavior for each case and the rationale for selection.
For each case. provide a hypothesis of the reinforcement contingencies maintaining the behavior. Based on
this hypothesis, discuss why the previous interventions may not have been successful.
Next, use operant conditioning techniques to provide an accurate and thorough behavior modification for
each case based on the hypothesis above. Be sure to discuss this in the context of the use single-subject
designs in behavior analysis and how the individual serves as his or her own control.
Finally. you will discuss the assessment of each behavior modification plan by describing how you will
determine if the selected behavior modification plan was effective (be sure to outline the dimension of
behavior(s) you are measuring and how you will make a data-based conclusions on the progress)
Each case covers the theories. concepts, and research that you have learned about this term. Your written
Assignment should consist of information mainly from the two texts. If necessary you may use supplemental
readings. You may also use sources from the Library, but all supplementary material should be from peer-
reviewed behavior analytic journals only.
After reading each case and conducting the analysis as guided above. please fully provide the information
listed below.
Answers to the questions should be typed up in a Word document, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New
Roman font, follow all other APA formatting and citation guidelines, and be submitted to the Unit 9
Assignment Dropbox. Your answers should be 2 to 3 pages for each case in order to address all required parts
of the Assignment.
Case 1: The Case of Emily
1. Briefly recap the case and identify the most important target behavior. Provide a clear definition and why it
is important to target this behavior.
2. Discuss which inadvertent reinforcement strategy may have contributed to Emily’s school refusal and why.
Formulate a hypothesis regarding what intervention will result in a specific level and direction of desired
change in the target behavior
3. Choose an effective behavior modification program to help Emily’s parents to help her improve her target
behavior and to test your previously stated hypothesis. Discuss why you chose that program and how you
would implement the strategy.
4. Discuss how you will monitor the program and analyze the results. Make sure to include what you would
consider to be a successful intervention. Discuss changes you could make to the plan if the expected outcome
was not attained.
Case 2: The Case of Mr. Smith
1. Briefly recap the case and identify the most important target behavior. Provide a clear definition and why it
is important to target this behavior.
2. Discuss why Mr. Smith’s previous interventions may not have been successful. Formulate a hypothesis
regarding what intervention will result in a specific level and direction of desired change in the target
behavior.
3. Choose an effective behavior modification program to help Mr. Smith with his company and to test your
previously stated hypothesis. Discuss why you chose that program and how you would implement the
strategy.
4. Discuss how you will monitor the program and analyze the results. Make sure to include what you would
consider to be a successful intervention.
Please read from the following two text that needs to be used:
Read Chapter 20 – Miltenberger. R. G. (2012). Behavior Modification: Principles and Procedures, 5th Edition.
Read Chapter 29 – Cooper, J. 0., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2007). Applied behavior analysis (2nd ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ, USA: Pearson Education.
Case 1: The Case of Emily
Your newest client is 6-year-old Emily who was referred to you by her pediatric psychologist
because she has been engaging in challenging behaviors. Her parents tell you that her challenges
started when she started first grade. She told her parents that she did not want to go to school
because it was not fun anymore. Initially, she was just reluctant to go but now she is having
screaming tantrums in which she cries and bangs her head on the floor. At the same time that the
tantrums started occurring, Emily also began to refuse to sleep in her own bed; she would only fall
asleep if she was in her parents’ bed. Sometimes, Emily’s parents would wait until she fell asleep
and then carry her back to her own room. However, Emily often would wake up and then cry and
scream and wake the entire family. Both parents feel tired and frustrated and have now resigned
themselves to allowing Emily to sleep in their room. Her parents have been very concerned about
these outbursts and initially let her stay home from school while they tried to figure out what was
bothering her. A meeting with Emily’s teacher revealed that she generally behaves well at school
and her basic academic skills appear to be at grade level. As a behavior analyst, you need to
decide what to do first to help Emily and her family.
Case 2: The Case of Mr. Smith
Mr. Smith just walked into your office because he is having problems at work and he needs the
help of a behavior analyst. Mr. Smith owns a company that manufactures custom figure skates. It
is a small company with 30 employees who are all trained to do the highly specialized work it takes
to make these skates. For the last year, absenteeism has become a big problem. In fact, so many
employees are absent so often that the company has not been able to keep up with their
productivity in order to meet important deadlines. This has threatened the health of the company.
Mr. Smith first tried offering coffee and donuts in the morning to show his employees that they
were highly valued. This did not change anything. He also held a meeting and explained to
everyone that if the absenteeism continued and their productivity continues to drop, the factory
may have to close down permanently. This made the absenteeism worse. So Mr. Smith has come
to your office hoping you can help him with his employees.
