RES-NEWSLETTER-TESTIMONIALS — BACB Newsletter: Considerations for Soliciting Testimonials for Nonservice Activities (Oct 2024)
What does RES-NEWSLETTER-TESTIMONIALS say?
The BACB issued guidance on soliciting testimonials for nonservice activities. Key points: (1) Ethics Code 5.10 restricts soliciting testimonials from current clients, but the scope of "testimonials" extends beyond clinical services. (2) Behavior analysts who also sell products, offer courses, or provide consulting must be careful when soliciting reviews or endorsements. (3) Testimonials from supervisees or trainees are problematic due to the power differential in the relationship. (4) When soliciting testimonials for books, courses, or other products, ensure they are from voluntary, uncoerced sources without a current professional relationship. (5) Public reviews on platforms like Google or social media are generally acceptable if the behavior analyst did not solicit them from individuals in a dependent relationship. (6) The key ethical question is whether the person providing the testimonial is in a position where they might feel coerced or obligated.
Official source: read the full text in the Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2022) (official document).