Classic Study: Watson & Rayner (1920)

Question 1

Who were used in the sample

Answer 1

A single ppt called little Albert aged 9 months

Question 2

What type of method was used

Answer 2

Lab

Question 3

Aim

Answer 3

• to investigate whether you could condition a phobia into a child
• to investigate whether the phobia would be generalised
• to investigate whether time would effect the conditioned response
• to investigate whether the phobia could be conditioned out of a child

Question 4

Procedure

Answer 4

• at 9 months Albert was assessed on his response to a number of objects such as white rat, Father Christmas mask etc
• after 2 months Albert was presented with the white rat again
• when he reached to it the experimenters hit the metal bar to frighten him
• the rat is the NS and the metal bar is the UCS and the fear response is CR
• this procedure was repeated 5 times a week later and 2 times more 17 days later

Question 5

Results/Findings

Answer 5

• the first trial when the metal bar was hit Albert displayed distress by jumping violently
• the second trial albert was suspicious of the rat
• the third trial albert leaned awya from the rat
• when the rabbit was placed near him albert cried
• 7 weeks later albert cried in response to a white fury coat, showing that the fear has generalised

Question 6

Conclusion

Answer 6

It demonstrates it is artificially possible to induce emotional response by classical conditioning and from this it suggests that phobias can be learned from the environment

Question 7

AO2

Answer 7

• helps us understand how phobias are acquired
• helps psychologists