Evaluation of the Watson and Rayner experiment Flashcards
Explain how the study was a controlled study?
Conducted in a lab. Extraneous variables can therefore be controlled. There was a baseline condition to prove he was not a fearful child. There was a control condition (the building blocks). Films were used to record Albert’s responses which confirms validity.
Why was Albert the only example?
They planned to have more samples, however their dismissal from the University meant they could no longer do it. Without any comparisons it was hard to generalise the results to others.
What was the evaluation of the two-process theory?
They can’t explain how they persist. they are not sure whether over time the conditioned responses can just disappear. O.H. Mowrer explained why it doesn’t just disappear. He did this in his two-process model. The first stage is classical conditioning and then the second stage is operant conditioning. The classical conditioning explains how phobias are acquired, then the operant conditioning explains how they are maintained. Once a fear is learned they will try to avoid it (negative reinforcement). No anxiety is produced and therefore thus is an example of positive reinforcement.
What was the evaluation for learning is not the only explanation?
Not all phobias are preceded by a conditioning episode. Some people who have experienced a traumatic incident, do not develop a phobia. One alternative is biological preparedness. Martin Seligman argued that animals are genetically programmed to rapidly learn an association between a certain stimuli and fear (ancient fears).
How is the experiment unethical?
As it involved conditioning a fear in a child, the effects were potentially long-lasting (psychological harm). Emotionally traumatising for Albert. Watson and Rayner were aware of the harm as they stated “we felt that we could do him relatively little harm in the studies”. They even stopped Albert from sucking his thumb in order to have a better response (comforting response). There was also no informed consent as They never asked for permission from Albert’s mother. Withdrawal rights were not explained. Watson did not debrief the mother. Watson also failed to follow the ethical principles of confidentiality as he published his results without ensuring Albert remained anonymous.
