Lecture 1 - Watson & Raynor Flashcards
Who was John Broadus Watson?
John Broadus Watson (1878-1958) was an American psychologist and one of the founders of behaviorism. He is known for his work on classical conditioning and the Little Albert experiment.
What is behaviorism?
Behaviorism is the theory that all human behavior is learned from the environment through conditioning, rather than being driven by internal thoughts or unconscious processes.
What was Watson’s main goal in psychology?
Watson’s goal was to demonstrate that all human behavior stems from learning and conditioning, not unconscious processes as suggested by Freud.
What was the focus of Watson’s “Psychology as the Behaviorist Views It” (1913)?
Watson argued that psychology should be an objective science that focuses on observable behaviors, not internal mental states, and should aim to predict and control behavior through stimulus-response connections.
What is classical conditioning?
Classical conditioning is a learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to produce a conditioned response, as demonstrated in Pavlov’s work with dogs.
How did Watson apply classical conditioning in his Little Albert study?
Watson conditioned Little Albert to fear a white rat by pairing it with a loud, startling noise. Over time, Albert developed a fear of the rat and other similar stimuli (generalization).
What were the main findings of Watson and Rayner’s Little Albert experiment?
The study showed that:
1. An infant can be conditioned to fear an animal (the rat).
2. Fear can transfer to other animals and objects (generalization).
3. The conditioned fear persists for some time, though with less intensity.
What ethical concerns were raised by the Little Albert study?
Ethical concerns include the lack of informed consent (Albert was an infant), the intentional creation of fear in a child, and no effort to alleviate the conditioned fear after the study.
What scientific concerns were raised about the Little Albert study?
Issues include the generalization of the findings to a broader population (since it was a single case study) and the lack of follow-up to determine the long-term effects of the conditioning.
What did Watson believe about nature versus nurture?
Watson believed in nurture over nature, arguing that behavior is shaped entirely by environmental factors and experiences, not by inherited traits or instincts.
What were the implications of Watson’s behaviorism on phobias?
Watson’s work suggested that phobias can be learned through classical conditioning and that they can be unlearned through techniques like systematic desensitization or flooding.
How did Watson’s work influence parenting and education?
Watson’s behaviorism influenced parenting techniques, emphasizing reinforcement and behavior management. It also led to the development of programs like the Triple P (Positive Parenting Program).
How did Watson apply behaviorism to advertising?
Watson used behaviorist principles in advertising by creating emotional associations with products. For example, he coined the term “coffee break” to associate coffee with relaxation and a habitual break.
What was B.F. Skinner’s contribution to behaviorism?
B.F. Skinner expanded on Watson’s work by developing operant conditioning, which focuses on how behaviors are influenced by their consequences (reinforcements and punishments).
What is the general criticism of behaviorism in modern psychology?
Behaviorism is criticized for oversimplifying human behavior by focusing only on observable actions and ignoring internal mental processes, emotions, and cognitive factors that also shape behavior.
What is the legacy of Watson’s behaviorism today?
Watson’s behaviorism remains influential in areas like therapy (e.g., behavioral therapy for phobias), education (e.g., reinforcement strategies), and advertising (using conditioned emotional responses in marketing).
