watson and rayner

METHODOLOGY

  • The study conducted by Watson and Rayner (1920) involves a singular participant: a normal male infant aged nine months, referred to as 'Albert B' but commonly known as 'Little Albert'.

  • Distinguishing Features of the Study:

    • This research is not classified as a case study, as it emphasized Little Albert's responses to conditioning rather than an in-depth exploration of his life and individual profile.
    • The study is also not an experiment due to only one condition being tested; it is described as an investigation focused on assessing the effects of specific stimuli.
    • Despite being labeled an 'experiment' by Watson and Rayner, the term has been redefined in contemporary usage.
    • The study took place in a controlled environment—a well-lit room typically used for developing photographs. Albert was positioned on a mattress laid atop a table.

  • Type of Research Conducted:

    • The study methodology can be characterized as a controlled observation.

PROCEDURES

  • Albert's responses during the investigation were documented utilizing a motion picture camera.

  • Emotional Tests Administered:

    • Various objects were presented to Albert to observe his emotional responses, including:
    • A white rat
    • A rabbit
    • A dog
    • A monkey
    • Masks (both with and without hair)
    • Cotton wool
    • Burning newspapers
    • Notably, these objects were not shown simultaneously; each was introduced individually, marking the first time Albert encountered them.

  • Albert was also exposed to a loud sound created by striking a hammer against a suspended steel bar, measuring just over one meter in length and 2 cm in diameter.

    • The setup involved one experimenter capturing Albert's attention while another struck the bar behind him.

SESSION 1: Establishing a Conditioned Emotional Response

  • At 11 months and 3 days old, Albert was brought back to the laboratory.
    • The researchers presented him with a white rat. Upon attempting to reach for the rat, the loud sound was produced by striking the bar behind him, initiating a conditioned response.

SESSION 2: Testing the Conditioned Emotional Response

  • One week later, at 11 months and 10 days, Albert returned for further testing.
    • During this session, he was shown the rat without the accompanying loud sound to assess whether the initial experience influenced his behavior towards the rat.
    • Following this test, Albert encountered the rat and the loud noise simultaneously on five additional occasions to reinforce the conditioned response.

SESSION 3: Generalization

  • At 11 months and 15 days, Albert was subjected to further testing.

    • The research question focused on whether the conditioned emotional response learned between the rat and the noise could generalize to other objects.
    • Albert was presented with various stimuli, including:
    • The rat
    • Wooden blocks
    • A rabbit
    • A dog
    • A seal fur coat
    • Cotton wool
    • The hair of John Watson

  • Important concept discussed:

    • Generalization of conditioned responses, where emotional responses to a specific stimulus extend to similar stimuli (e.g., fear of a rat may extend to a rabbit or fur coat).

SESSION 4: Changing the Environment

  • At 11 months and 20 days, in order to refresh the conditioned emotional response, Albert was subjected to additional joint stimulation in a new environment.
    • The new setting was a spacious, well-lit lecture room with four individuals present.
    • Albert was placed centrally on a table within this environment to observe his reactions.

SESSION 5: The Effect of Time

  • The final examination occurred when Albert was 12 months and 21 days old.

    • Although he had visited the lab during the intervening period, no emotional tests had been conducted during these visits.
    • The concluding tests involved various stimuli including:
    • A Santa Claus mask
    • A fur coat
    • The white rat
    • The rabbit
    • The dog
    • The wooden blocks

  • Observations showed that conditioned emotional responses can be enduring, indicating persistence even without further reinforcement.