The Behaviourist Approach - Watson and Rayner : METHODOLOGY Flashcards
Who does the study involve?
one participant
- a normal male infant aged nine months
- in this study, referred to as ‘Albert B.’
- has since become known as ‘Little Albert’
What type of study was this?
could be described as a controlled observation
Why was the study not a case study?
because the focus was only on Little Albert’s response to conditioning
- a case study would involve a more in-depth analysis of the individual and aspects of their life
Why was the study not an experiment?
because there was only one condition
- Watson and Rayner call it an experiment but the use of that term has become more restricted
What is the study an investigation of?
it is simply an investigation to determine the effects of certain stimuli
What conditions was the investigation conducted in?
controlled conditions
- well-lit dark room (ie a room where photographs were normally developed)
- Albert was placed on a mattress that was on top of a table
