Putting Concepts Into Action: A Brief Description of 2022 BACB Ethics Code Standard 1.07 & Actionable Recommendations for Evolving Practices of Behavior Analysts

Abstract

For over a decade, behavior analysts have been calling for more culturally responsive practices. Within the newest edition of the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts, one addition in particular was Standard 1.07 Cultural Responsiveness and Diversity (Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2020b). The inclusion of this new standard shows positive movement but there is more to unpack. This article seeks to contextualize the relevance and necessity of Standard 1.07 both at a societal level and within the field of applied behavior analysis (ABA). A timeline of previous calls to actions and changes within ABA that align with the inclusion of this standard is discussed along with the obstacles that hindered progress. Lastly, directions are provided for how to make behavior analytic practices more culturally responsive through confronting our personal biases, using culturally responsive pedagogies, updating and adapting our practices regarding the selection of target skills and assessment administration, and collaborating with our clients and their teams. Through an understanding of its urgency and direct applications into our work, this article seeks to aid behavior analysts in shifting our practices to being more culturally responsive.

Keywords: Application; Cultural competency; Cultural responsiveness; Diversity; Ethics.

Fig. 1

BACB Statement in Response to the Death of George Floyd. Note: This figure is a screenshot of a status update posted by the official Facebook page BACB—Behavior Analyst Certification Board on Facebook on June 4, 2020.

Fig. 2

Four categories of actionable steps behavior analysts can incorporate into their work for more culturally responsive practices within ABA