Decoding ABA Ethics: Evaluating Intent and Environmental Factors

On this episode of the Behaviorist Book Club, Matt Harrington breaks down Cicero’s 2021 article on ethical practice in ABA, showing why ethics are never just black-and-white, how environmental contingencies reveal intent, and which biases—self-serving reinforcement, incrementalism, framing, conformity, and overconfidence—most often lead practitioners astray. Discover practical strategies for assessing intent, reinforcing prosocial behavior, and creating a culture that stops small lapses from snowballing into major violations. For all the article links and supporting materials, check out the show notes at www.behavioristbookclub.com/blog.