classic study - wastson and rayner Flashcards

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1
Q

what is the aim

A

whether you could condition a fear of an aminal by simultaneously presenting the animal and striking a steel bar to make a loud noise to frighten child

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2
Q

what was the method

A
  • little albert, health, reared from birth in hospital environment
  • introduced to white rate, rabbit, wool ect, showed no fear
  • banged a hammer, fear
  • waited untill 11 months and retested fears
  • white rat presented ad bar struck
  • tested if fear was transfered to other objects
  • tried to condition the fear of dog and rabbit
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3
Q

what were the results

A
  • jumped violently, fell forward and started whimpering at 2nd strike
  • after few conditionings rat alone caused albert to cry immediately and crawl away
  • fear lasted 5 days
  • fear was transfered to other objects
  • withdrawn from study
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4
Q

what were the conclusions

A

a conditioned emotional response can occur in humans after a few pairings and can be transfered to other similar objects

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5
Q

what were the strengths

A

+ chosen from a hospital setting to remove any ouside effect, no EVs
+ standardised procedure so reliable
+ helps find treatment for fears and phobias

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6
Q

what are the weaknesses

A
  • only one baby boy, 18 months old, doesnt represent target population
  • lacks ecological validity
  • lacks task validity
  • ethics, child withdrawn, died, fear not removed
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