Abstract
In the last several years, almost every book on the application of behavioral procedures and programs has included a chapter on legal and ethical issues (e.g., Bellack, Hersen, & Kazdin, 1982; Craighead, Kazdin, & Mahoney, 1981; Kazdin, 1980; Lutzker & Martin, 1981; Martin & Pear, 1983; Redd, Porterfield, & Anderson, 1979; Spiegler, 1983; Walker & Shea, 1980; Wood, 1975). One may wonder whether those involved in behavioral research or those using behavioral techniques engage in more illegal or unethical behavior than other personnel in the human service field. This is not likely to be the case. It is clear that although behavior therapists have often been zealous in their attempts to correct any ethical abuses of behavior therapy and to protect clients’ rights (Spiegler, 1983), legal and ethical issues arise in any therapeutic endeavor; many books have been written specifically addressing these issues (e.g., Fields & Horwitz, 1982; Gutheil & Appelbaum, 1982; Hannah, Christian, & Clark, 1981; Koocher, 1976; Martin, 1975; Melton, 1982; Sadoff, 1982; Schetky & Benedek, 1980; Schwitzgebel & Schwitzgebel, 1980; Slovenko, 1973). Nonetheless, those writing about behavioral approaches continue to be concerned that others in the behavioral field are cognizant of the relevant legal and ethical issues.
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Sheldon, J. (1987). Legal and Ethical Issues in the Behavioral Treatment of Juvenile and Adult Offenders. In: Morris, E.K., Braukmann, C.J. (eds) Behavioral Approaches to Crime and Delinquency. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-0903-1_21
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