Classical Conditioning and Phobias

Question 1

Watson and Rayner

Answer 1

Watson and Rayner conditioned “Little Albert” to have a phobia of rats by pairing a rat with a loud bang - supports by validating with highly controlled research evidence

Question 2

Dollinger

Answer 2

Dollinger compared child survivors of lighting strikes to a control group and found that survivors showed more numerous and intense fears of thunder, lightning, and tornados - supports by validating theory with research evidence

Question 3

Fear of snakes and spiders

Answer 3

People with fears of snakes and spiders describe an intense fear but not all report experiencing a traumatic event involving the creatures - refutes by suggesting CC gives an incomplete explanation of phobia acquisition

Question 4

Hekman

Answer 4

Hekman studied a group of students with various animal phobias, finding that only 23% reported a direct conditioning experience - refutes theory, suggesting it is incomplete and reductionist (not always due to association)