Little Albert (Watson And Rayner) Flashcards
What was the aim of the study?
-To investigate whether a fear of white rats could be conditioned into a child.
-To see if the fear could be generalised to similar objects.
-To see if the effect of time on the CR.
What was the sample?
-1 baby boy, 9 months old.
-Opportunity sample.
-Healthy.
What was the procedure of the study?
-At 9 months tested with white rat and other objects and had no reaction.
-Checked response when banging on iron bar and baby cried at loud noise.
-At 11 months he was conditioned as iron bar was paired with white rat and started to whimper.
-A week later conditioned again, rat presented 3 times with loud noise.
What was the results of the study?
NS turned into CS causing the CR.
-Showed generalisation of response to similar items to the rat.
-No response to NS alone.
What was the conclusion of the study?
-Could condition a fear in a child and generalisation to other objects/ be transferred to other situations.
Why is the study not generaalisable?
Case study of 1 baby boy so not representative of full population.
How is the study reliable?
Standardized procedure so can be repeated so more reliable.
How can the study be applied to real life?
Can understand the cause of phobias so can treat phobias by changing associations (flooding)
How is the study valid?
No demand characteristics as baby wouldn’t fully understand the study, reduces EV/ social desirability.
How is the study not valid?
Lab study so has low ecological validity so can not be applied to real life situations (also low mundane realism).
What are the ethical issues with the study?
-No protection from harm-baby was crying/distressed and still continued.
-Informed consent- too young to understand study.
What is one good ethical thing about the study?
Had right to withdraw as Albert’s mother could take him away from the study.
