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Controversial Behavior Analytic Procedures Oluwadamilola Adekunle Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Capella University PSY 7710: Ethics for Behavior Analysts Aug 13. 2023.

2 Controversial Treatment Escape Extinction. Escape extinction is a behavior modification technique used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to address challenging behaviors, particularly those that are maintained by escape or avoidance of undesirable situations (Cooper, Heron, & Heward, 2020). The treatment involves preventing the individual from escaping or avoiding the situation they find aversive, with the aim of teaching them more appropriate ways to cope. Escape extinction is a behavior modification technique often used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to address challenging behaviors that are maintained by escape or avoidance of aversive situations. It involves systematically preventing an individual from escaping or avoiding the situations they find undesirable. The goal is to decrease the frequency of the problematic behavior by removing the reinforcement that is maintaining it (Cooper et al., 2020). Scenario: A child with autism, named Alex, engages in aggressive behaviors (such as hitting and biting) during his therapy sessions in an attempt to escape from tasks he finds challenging. Implementation procedure: Functional Assessment: Before implementing escape extinction, a functional assessment is conducted to determine the underlying reason for Alex's aggressive behaviors. It's crucial to understand whether these behaviors are indeed driven by a desire to escape or avoid certain tasks (Friman, Smith, & Zarcone, 2010). Identifying Replacement Behaviors: In collaboration with therapists, caregivers, and other relevant stakeholders, replacement behaviors are identified. These are alternative ways for Alex to communicate his discomfort or request a break from tasks without resorting to aggression (Friman et al., 2010). Preventing Escape: During therapy sessions, when Alex engages in aggressive behavior as an attempt to escape tasks, the escape extinction procedure would be initiated. In practical terms, this might involve: A therapist gently but firmly guiding Alex back to the task each time he tries to escape.

3 Providing minimal attention to aggressive behavior while maintaining focus on the task. Ignoring or not immediately responding to the aggression. Reinforcing Replacement Behaviors: Simultaneously, Alex is taught and encouraged to use the replacement behaviors that were identified earlier. For instance, he might be taught to use a communication device or a specific gesture to indicate that he needs a break from the task (Friman et al., 2010). Consistency and Data Collection: The implementation of escape extinction requires consistency across all relevant individuals and settings. Detailed data are collected on Alex's behavior, the frequency of his aggression, and his use of replacement behaviors. Fading/Shaping: As Alex learns to use the replacement behaviors more effectively, the escape extinction procedure can gradually faded out. This involves allowing more flexibility in responding to his requests for breaks while still ensuring the maintenance of appropriate communication (Cooper et al., 2020). Pros to Controversial Treatment Efficiency: Escape extinction can lead to quicker behavior change, as it directly addresses the reinforcement maintaining the problem behavior. By preventing the individual from escaping the aversive situation, the behavior loses its effectiveness and reduces over time. Learning New Skills: By employing escape extinction, individuals are encouraged to learn alternative, more appropriate ways to cope with aversive situations. This promotes the development of adaptive behaviors and communication skills. Generalization: Escape extinction often involves teaching the individual to communicate their needs or distress using more acceptable methods, which can generalize to a variety of contexts and settings. Decreased Aversive Stimulation: Over time, as the individual's problematic behaviors decrease, they may experience fewer aversive situations, leading to a better quality of life for both the individual and those around them. Cons to Controversial Treatment

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4 Emotional Distress: Implementing escape extinction can lead to an initial increase in the problem behavior, often referred to as an "extinction burst." This could lead to heightened emotional distress for the individual. Ethical Concerns: There are ethical concerns surrounding the potential stress and anxiety caused by preventing someone from escaping a situation they find distressing. This can raise questions about the well-being of the individual. Lack of Individualization: Escape extinction might not consider individual differences, such as sensory sensitivities or communication limitations. It could inadvertently overlook important factors that contribute to the behavior. Potential Aggression: In some cases, individuals might respond aggressively when their escape is prevented. This aggression could be directed towards themselves or others, creating safety concerns. Evaluation of Ethics The evaluation of the evidence-based controversial procedure of escape extinction requires careful consideration of ethical principles outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB). Four relevant ethics codes (Code 1.02, Code 2.09, Code 4.01, and Code 4.05) shed light on the ethical implications associated with this procedure and guide behavior analysts in maintaining professional conduct. Code 1.02 - Integrity: The ethical principle of integrity emphasizes honesty, transparency, and the accurate representation of professional qualifications. When employing escape extinction, behavior analysts must accurately communicate their expertise to clients and stakeholders (BACB, 2020). Ensuring that individuals are aware of the rationale, benefits, and potential drawbacks of escape extinction is crucial for maintaining ethical integrity in practice. Code 2.09 - Accepting Clients: The code pertains to accepting clients within one's scope of competence. It is vital for behavior analysts to ensure that they possess the requisite skills and knowledge to employ escape extinction appropriately (BACB, 2020). The procedure's potential for emotional distress and ethical concerns requires practitioners to assess their competency and seek consultation when necessary. Code 4.01 - Conceptual Consistency: This code underscores the importance of basing interventions on behavior-analytic principles. When implementing escape extinction, practitioners must ensure that the procedure aligns with the principles of behavior analysis and

5 does not deviate into aversive or punitive practices (BACB, 2020). Adhering to behavior-analytic principles maintains the ethical integrity of the intervention. Code 4.05 - Positive Approach: This code emphasizes a positive and non-aversive approach in interventions. Behavior analysts employing escape extinction must do so with the intention of teaching alternative behaviors and promoting adaptive skills, rather than solely focusing on suppression of unwanted behaviors (BACB, 2020). A positive approach aligns with ethical considerations and promotes the individual's well-being. Conclusion. In my opinion, while escape extinction can yield efficient results and promote skill development, its implementation demands meticulous ethical considerations. The potential for emotional distress, infringement upon autonomy, and the principle of using the least restrictive alternative necessitate careful assessment and informed consent. Adhering to ethical principles not only safeguards the well-being of individuals but also upholds the integrity of the behavior analysis profession. References Cooper, J. O., Heron, T. E., & Heward, W. L. (2020). Applied behavior analysis (3rd ed.). Pearson. Friman, P. C., Smith, R. G., & Zarcone, J. R. (2010). Reduction of "pica" by response-contingent escape from demands. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43(4), 745-749. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2010.43-745 . Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2020). BACB ethics code for behavior analysts. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/BACB-ethics-code-english.pdf.

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