Subjects

Careers

Open the App

Subjects

Little Albert Experiment Summary: What Happened to Little Albert?

Open

8

0

user profile picture

Demetra

03/05/2023

Psychology

Classic Study- Little Albert

Little Albert Experiment Summary: What Happened to Little Albert?

The Little Albert experiment was a controversial study in classical conditioning conducted by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920. It aimed to demonstrate how fear responses could be conditioned in infants. The experiment involved a 9-month-old boy named Albert, who was exposed to various stimuli including a white rat, paired with loud noises. The study showed that Albert developed a fear response to the rat and similar objects, demonstrating the principles of classical conditioning and generalization of fear.

• The experiment's primary goal was to create a conditioned fear response in a child.
• It explored the generalization of fear to similar stimuli and the duration of conditioning.
• The study raised significant ethical concerns regarding the treatment of infant subjects.
• Results suggested that emotional responses could be artificially induced through classical conditioning.
• The experiment has become a classic example in psychology, despite its ethical controversies.

...

03/05/2023

317

AIM
●
Classic Study-Watson and Rayner Little Albert (1920)
Conditioned emotional response
To demonstrate that classical conditioning can be

View

Conditioning Process and Results

The conditioning phase of the Little Albert experiment began when Albert was 11 months old. The researchers presented him with a white rat simultaneously with a loud sound produced by striking a steel bar. This pairing was repeated multiple times over several weeks to establish the conditioned response.

Highlight: The pairing of the rat neutralstimulusneutral stimulus with the loud noise unconditionedstimulusunconditioned stimulus was crucial in creating the conditioned fear response.

The results of the conditioning process were significant. By the seventh pairing, Albert would cry as soon as the rat was presented, even without the accompanying noise. He would also exhibit violent jumping reactions, demonstrating a clear conditioned fear response.

To test for generalization, Albert was exposed to various stimuli over the next 10 days, including a rabbit, dog, fur coat, cotton wool, and a Santa mask. The researchers also changed the setting to ensure that the fear response was not specific to the original experimental environment.

Example: When presented with a rabbit, Albert would cry and cover his face, demonstrating that the conditioned fear had generalized to other furry objects.

The generalization results showed varying degrees of fear responses to different stimuli. Albert's reactions ranged from crying and falling backwards when exposed to the rabbit, to attempting to crawl away from the dog, and becoming upset when a fur coat was brought closer to him.

Quote: "When transferred to a lecture theatre with 4 other people, Albert's reaction to the rat were the same."

This quote highlights the consistency of Albert's conditioned response across different settings, supporting the robustness of the conditioning effect.

Unfortunately, the long-term effects of the conditioning could not be fully assessed as Albert was removed from the hospital by his mother at the age of one year. Consequently, the researchers were unable to remove the phobia or determine its exact duration.

Highlight: The inability to follow up on Albert's condition raises ethical concerns about the lasting impact of the experiment on the child's well-being.

AIM
●
Classic Study-Watson and Rayner Little Albert (1920)
Conditioned emotional response
To demonstrate that classical conditioning can be

View

Conclusions and Critical Evaluation

The Little Albert experiment led to several important conclusions in the field of psychology. Primarily, it demonstrated that it is possible to artificially induce emotional responses through classical conditioning. This finding had significant implications for understanding the development of phobias and other emotional reactions.

Definition: Phobia - An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

However, the study also noted that conditioned responses tend to decline over time, a phenomenon known as extinction. This observation is crucial for understanding the potential reversibility of conditioned fears.

When evaluating the study, several critical points emerge:

  1. Generalizability: The study has low generalizability due to its sample size of one unique individual. Albert's emotional stability may not be representative of how other children would respond to similar conditioning.
  2. Reliability: The experiment demonstrates high reliability due to its standardized procedures and careful documentation. The use of film to record Albert's reactions enhances the study's replicability.

Highlight: The high inter-rater reliability, with both Watson and Rayner observing Albert's reactions, strengthens the credibility of the results.

  1. Application: The study provides valuable insights into how phobias can be learned and potentially unlearned, offering a foundation for understanding and treating certain behavioral issues.
  2. Validity: While the study has high construct validity, aligning with the principles of classical conditioning, it suffers from low ecological validity due to the unnatural experimental setting.

Example: The use of controls, such as Watson hiding behind a curtain to produce the sound, enhances the internal validity of the experiment.

  1. Ethics: The Little Albert experiment raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the protection from harm guideline. The study continued despite Albert's distress, and the long-term effects on his well-being were not addressed.

Quote: "Watson and Rayner argue that Albert would have these distressing experiences once he started nursery and that there was nothing unusual about what they had put the child through."

This justification by the researchers highlights the different ethical standards of the time and the ongoing debate about the experiment's ethics.

In conclusion, while the Little Albert experiment provided groundbreaking insights into fear conditioning and the principles of classical conditioning, it remains a controversial study due to its ethical implications and methodological limitations. Its legacy continues to influence discussions on research ethics and the development of emotional responses in psychology.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

21 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

 

Psychology

317

3 May 2023

3 pages

Little Albert Experiment Summary: What Happened to Little Albert?

user profile picture

Demetra

@demetra_21

The Little Albert experimentwas a controversial study in classical conditioning conducted by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920. It aimed to demonstrate how fear responses could be conditioned in infants. The experiment involved a 9-month-old boy named... Show more

AIM
●
Classic Study-Watson and Rayner Little Albert (1920)
Conditioned emotional response
To demonstrate that classical conditioning can be

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Conditioning Process and Results

The conditioning phase of the Little Albert experiment began when Albert was 11 months old. The researchers presented him with a white rat simultaneously with a loud sound produced by striking a steel bar. This pairing was repeated multiple times over several weeks to establish the conditioned response.

Highlight: The pairing of the rat neutralstimulusneutral stimulus with the loud noise unconditionedstimulusunconditioned stimulus was crucial in creating the conditioned fear response.

The results of the conditioning process were significant. By the seventh pairing, Albert would cry as soon as the rat was presented, even without the accompanying noise. He would also exhibit violent jumping reactions, demonstrating a clear conditioned fear response.

To test for generalization, Albert was exposed to various stimuli over the next 10 days, including a rabbit, dog, fur coat, cotton wool, and a Santa mask. The researchers also changed the setting to ensure that the fear response was not specific to the original experimental environment.

Example: When presented with a rabbit, Albert would cry and cover his face, demonstrating that the conditioned fear had generalized to other furry objects.

The generalization results showed varying degrees of fear responses to different stimuli. Albert's reactions ranged from crying and falling backwards when exposed to the rabbit, to attempting to crawl away from the dog, and becoming upset when a fur coat was brought closer to him.

Quote: "When transferred to a lecture theatre with 4 other people, Albert's reaction to the rat were the same."

This quote highlights the consistency of Albert's conditioned response across different settings, supporting the robustness of the conditioning effect.

Unfortunately, the long-term effects of the conditioning could not be fully assessed as Albert was removed from the hospital by his mother at the age of one year. Consequently, the researchers were unable to remove the phobia or determine its exact duration.

Highlight: The inability to follow up on Albert's condition raises ethical concerns about the lasting impact of the experiment on the child's well-being.

AIM
●
Classic Study-Watson and Rayner Little Albert (1920)
Conditioned emotional response
To demonstrate that classical conditioning can be

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Conclusions and Critical Evaluation

The Little Albert experiment led to several important conclusions in the field of psychology. Primarily, it demonstrated that it is possible to artificially induce emotional responses through classical conditioning. This finding had significant implications for understanding the development of phobias and other emotional reactions.

Definition: Phobia - An intense, irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

However, the study also noted that conditioned responses tend to decline over time, a phenomenon known as extinction. This observation is crucial for understanding the potential reversibility of conditioned fears.

When evaluating the study, several critical points emerge:

  1. Generalizability: The study has low generalizability due to its sample size of one unique individual. Albert's emotional stability may not be representative of how other children would respond to similar conditioning.
  2. Reliability: The experiment demonstrates high reliability due to its standardized procedures and careful documentation. The use of film to record Albert's reactions enhances the study's replicability.

Highlight: The high inter-rater reliability, with both Watson and Rayner observing Albert's reactions, strengthens the credibility of the results.

  1. Application: The study provides valuable insights into how phobias can be learned and potentially unlearned, offering a foundation for understanding and treating certain behavioral issues.
  2. Validity: While the study has high construct validity, aligning with the principles of classical conditioning, it suffers from low ecological validity due to the unnatural experimental setting.

Example: The use of controls, such as Watson hiding behind a curtain to produce the sound, enhances the internal validity of the experiment.

  1. Ethics: The Little Albert experiment raises significant ethical concerns, particularly regarding the protection from harm guideline. The study continued despite Albert's distress, and the long-term effects on his well-being were not addressed.

Quote: "Watson and Rayner argue that Albert would have these distressing experiences once he started nursery and that there was nothing unusual about what they had put the child through."

This justification by the researchers highlights the different ethical standards of the time and the ongoing debate about the experiment's ethics.

In conclusion, while the Little Albert experiment provided groundbreaking insights into fear conditioning and the principles of classical conditioning, it remains a controversial study due to its ethical implications and methodological limitations. Its legacy continues to influence discussions on research ethics and the development of emotional responses in psychology.

AIM
●
Classic Study-Watson and Rayner Little Albert (1920)
Conditioned emotional response
To demonstrate that classical conditioning can be

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Classic Study: Watson and Rayner's Little Albert Experiment (1920)

The Little Albert experiment was a groundbreaking study in classical conditioning conducted by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920. This experiment aimed to demonstrate that classical conditioning can be used to create a fear response in infants to a neutral stimulus. Additionally, the researchers sought to investigate if the fear response could be generalized to other animals and objects, and to determine the longevity of this conditioning.

Highlight: The primary objectives of the Little Albert experiment were to create a conditioned fear response, test for generalization, and assess the duration of the conditioning effect.

The study's sample consisted of a single male infant named Albert, who was 9 months old at the beginning of the experiment. Albert was described as a healthy, well-developed child, weighing 21 pounds and emotionally stable at the start of the study.

Example: Albert's initial emotional stability was crucial for the experiment, as it allowed researchers to observe the development of fear responses without pre-existing anxieties interfering with the results.

The procedure of the experiment was divided into three main phases: before conditioning, during conditioning, and testing generalization. Before conditioning, Albert was assessed for his responses to various objects, including a rabbit, cotton wool, dog, monkey, and white rat. Importantly, Albert showed no fear towards these stimuli and would even play with the rat.

Vocabulary: Neutral stimulus - A stimulus that does not naturally elicit a particular response before conditioning occurs.

To establish a baseline for Albert's reaction to loud noises, the researchers conducted a test where they struck a steel bar with a hammer behind Albert's back. This was the first instance where Albert displayed any fear or crying response.

Definition: Classical conditioning - A learning process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus and eventually elicits a similar response.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user