Watson and Rayner

Methodology-Controlled observation

No IV/DV

Methodology-Apparatus

Cotton wool, rabbit, dog, monkey, fur coat, camera, mattress

Methodology-Location

Well lit dark room and a lecture theatre

Methodology-Sample

Little albert, 9 months old at the start of the study. He was a normal, healthy child.

Procedures-Baseline tests

White rat, masks, rabbit, dog, monkey, cotton wool, burning papers.

Procedures-Session 1

White rat

Procedures-Session 2

White rat, blocks

Procedures-Session 3

White Rat, wooden blocks, rabbit, dog, fur coat

Procedures- Session 4

White Rat, rabbit, dog

Procedures- Session 5

Santa claus mask, fur coat, blocks, white rat, rabbit, dog

Findings- Baseline test

No fear of objects / jumped and cried at joint stimulation

Findings- Session 1

No hesitation of rat / Jumped at sound, buried his face in the mattress, whimpered

Findings- Session 2

Hesitation of rat / jumped at sound sound, cried

Findings- Session 3

Played with blocks / Burst into tears from rat

Findings- Session 4

Reduction in response to rat / after joint stimulation showed increased fear

Findings- Session 5

Avoid furry objects

Conclusions

-Fear response can easily be created

-Fear is a primary instinct

-Phobias are formed through direct or indirect experiences

Population Validity- explanation

Only used one participant, his stability was the reason for him being the subject

Population Validity- Strength

Albert represents a normal child which is like most children so it suggests other children would respond to the tests in the same way

Population Validity- Weakness

Albert was a western male participant so the findings can only be generalised to others like him, can't be used on females or people from other ethnic backgrounds

Ecological validity-explanation

Study took place in a controlled environment

Ecological validity-strength

Everyday objects were used which increase the level of mundane realism

Ecological validity- Weakness

Artificial environment which weakens ecological validity

Internal validity- explanation

Alberts reaction was freshened up and camera was used to observe Albert

Internal validity- Strength

The recorded videos can be watched at anytime to check nothing was missed.

Internal validity- Weakness

The freshening up was not part of the aim so now the aim has been compromised

Ethics- risk of harm

Risk of harm- Albert was clearly distressed but the study continued and when he tried sucking his thumb to soothe himself it was removed causing further distress

Ethics- Valid consent

Alberts' mother gave consent on his behalf but she worked for them causing her to maybe feel presured to agree to the study

Social implacations- Health

Aversion therapy is used in healthcare to treat addicts and phobias

Social implacations- Families

Classical conditioning is used by parents to shape children's behaviour e.g. naughty step

Social implications- Education

Classical conditioning used in schools to reward good students e.g. praise and discipline bad students e.g. detention