The ethics code requires that behavior analysts engage in honest advertising. Which statement best reflects this?

The ethics code requires that behavior analysts engage in honest advertising. Which statement best reflects this?

• A. Make false or unfounded claims about treatment effectiveness.
• B. Do not make false or unfounded claims about treatment effectiveness or client outcomes.
• C. Guarantee client outcomes.
• D. Promote services without citing evidence.

Answer: (B)

Honest advertising means that what you say about treatment effectiveness or client outcomes must be truthful and grounded in evidence. The statement that best reflects this principle says you should not make false or unfounded claims about how well a treatment works or what clients can expect as a result. This aligns with the ethics code’s expectation that claims about services are supported by data and not misleading, protecting clients from exaggerated or incorrect promises. Keep in mind that promising guaranteed outcomes is not appropriate because individual responses vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Likewise, promoting services without citing evidence conflicts with honesty, since claims need to be backed by data or research. In practice, any advertisement should accurately reflect the evidence base, avoid overstating results, and clearly indicate what is supported by data.

Honest advertising means that what you say about treatment effectiveness or client outcomes must be truthful and grounded in evidence. The statement that best reflects this principle says you should not make false or unfounded claims about how well a treatment works or what clients can expect as a result. This aligns with the ethics code’s expectation that claims about services are supported by data and not misleading, protecting clients from exaggerated or incorrect promises.

Keep in mind that promising guaranteed outcomes is not appropriate because individual responses vary and outcomes cannot be guaranteed. Likewise, promoting services without citing evidence conflicts with honesty, since claims need to be backed by data or research. In practice, any advertisement should accurately reflect the evidence base, avoid overstating results, and clearly indicate what is supported by data.