What is a major ethical dilemma that may arise in the supervision of behavior analysts?

• A. Providing too many choices to clients
• B. Conflicts of interest
• C. Excessive client autonomy
• D. Failure to record data

Answer: (B)

Conflicts of interest represent a significant ethical dilemma in the supervision of behavior analysts. When a supervisor has personal interests that may interfere with their professional responsibilities, it can compromise the integrity of the supervisory relationship and the quality of the services provided to clients. For instance, a supervisor may have a financial stake in a particular method or intervention, which could bias their recommendations and potentially detract from the best interests of the client.

In the context of behavior analysis, ensuring that the supervisor's decisions are based on ethical and effective practices rather than personal gain is crucial. This challenge becomes even more pertinent when considering the standards set forth by professional organizations such as the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB), which emphasizes the importance of maintaining objectivity and professionalism in supervision.

The other options do not represent major ethical dilemmas in the same way. For example, providing too many choices to clients may lead to confusion or overwhelm, but it is not an ethical breach in the same sense. Excessive client autonomy, while a potential concern in some contexts, generally focuses on empowering clients rather than creating a moral conflict. Similarly, failure to record data is a professional standard violation rather than an ethical dilemma involving supervisory relationships. Therefore, conflicts of interest uniquely highlight the ethical challenges inherent in the