Watson and Raynor Flashcards
Methodology of W&R
Controlled observation
Participant in W&R
Little Albert
Age of Albert in observation 1
11 months 3 days
Age of Albert when they did the baseline emotional tests
9 months
Age of Albert in observation 2
11 months 10 days
Age of Albert in observation 3
11 months 15 days
Age of Albert in observation 4
11 months 20 days
Age of Albert in observation 5
12 months 21 days
The aim of stage 1 of the observations was to…
establish the conditioned emotional response
The aim of stage 2 of the observations was to…
see if the emotional response is transferred to other stimuli
The aim of stage 3 of the observations was to…
see the effect of time on the conditioned emotional response
Stimuli presented to Albert in Obs 1
Rat. Rat and bar
Stimuli presented to Albert in Obs 2
Rat, rat and bar, blocks
Stimuli presented to Albert in Obs 3
Rat, Wooden blocks, Rabbit, Dog, Fur coat, Cotton wool, Watson’s hair, Santa Mask
Stimuli presented to Albert in Obs 4
Wooden blocks, Rat, Rat and bar, Rabbit, Dog,
Stimuli presented to Albert in Obs 5
Santa mask, Fur coat, Wooden blocks, Rat, Rabbit, Dog
In which observation was Albert moved to a new location?
Observation 4
What new location was Albert moved to during Obs 4?
A large well-lit lecture room
Findings of obs 1
Albert fell forward and whimpered when presented with the rat
Findings of obs 2
Albert played happily with the blocks
In response to the rat - he fell, cried instantly and crawled away
Findings of obs 3
Albert played with the blocks
Rat - fell over
Rabbit - whimpered, cried
Cotton wool – kicked away with feet.
Watson’s hair - ignored but played with others
Findings of obs 4
Albert played with the blocks
Rat - bent over crying
Rabbit - leaned to the left
Changed location
Put his hands up when presented with rat
Fell over when the dog barked
Findings of obs 5
Albert whimpered and cried at the Santa mask
He leaned back and covered his eyes at the rat
He shuddered when presented with the rabbit
Dog - cried with both hands over face
Conclusions of W&R
-Phobias are conditioned emotional reactions
- The persistence of these reactions are more likely in those that are not as strong-willed
- This disagrees with Freud’s original ideas that emotional disturbance is linked to sex
- They are more likely a product of a conditioned response set up in infancy
