Little Albert AO3 Flashcards
(8 cards)
METHODOLOGY: FOR: LOCATION
Point:
One strength of this research is the degree of control Watson & Raynor had. Due
to the environment in which the research was conducted (a well-lit dark room), they
were able to control extraneous variables.
Example:
Examples of factors controlled within this research include the presentation of
‘furry objects’ and the location of the research.
Explain:
Having this level of control is positive because it increases the experimental
validity of the research.
Link:
Therefore, with such scientific methodology being used, Watson and Raynor’s
research has scientific status and can be trusted over less scientific methods where
results cannot be quantified, such as an open interview
METHODOLOGY: AGAINST: SAMPLE
Point:
One negative of this research is that there are question marks concerning the representativeness of the sample used and whether generalisations can be made.
Evidence:
The sample consisted of one participant – Albert, a calm, even-tempered child. One of the main reasons he was selected was due to his emotional stability and his availability. His mum was an employee at the hospital in which Watson & Rayner worked.
Explanation:
The use of only one participant with the characteristics he possessed means it is difficult to draw conclusions regarding whether the findings can be generalised to other children, who perhaps would have a very different behavioural response to Albert.
Link:
If this is the case, findings cannot be generalised and thus have limited application to society.
PROCEDURES: FOR: CREDIBILITY
Point:
One positive component of the procedure is that Watson & Rayner had baseline measurements in place in order to compare.
Evidence:
Albert’s ‘pre-manipulation’ behaviour could be judged to establish whether he was a fearful child before the study. The trial where Albert played with the wooden blocks provided a control condition, which showed his fear was exclusively for furry objects.
Explanation:
Having a baseline control condition means that the findings are more scientific and can be attributed to the conditioning techniques used by Watson and Rayner.
Link:
This makes the findings of the research more credible within the scientific community.
PROCEDURES: AGAINST: UNCOMPLETED PROCEDURES
Point:
One negative of this research is that the procedures were not completed as originally planned.
Evidence:
Watson and Rayner intended to counter-condition Little Albert in the final stages of the research. This would involve effectively tackling Albert’s maladaptive learning (fear of furry objects, etc.) and replacing it with more functional, adaptive learning.
Explanation:
Little Albert was removed from the research before this important stage was completed, thus he left with a series of specific phobias.
Link:
Therefore, this raises some serious ethical issues with regard to the procedures.
ETHICAL: AGAINST: PROTECTION FROM HARM
Point:
One key ethical issue present in this research is the risk of stress, anxiety, humiliation or pain.
Evidence:
It was clear to see that Little Albert was very distressed throughout the procedures. Indeed, from an ethical perspective, Watson and Raynor should have suspended the research process and not continued through the different stages that lasted a number of months.
Explanation:
Little Albert initially just ‘cried’; however, as the stages progressed, Little Albert’s personality changed and he became quite an anxious and grumbly young child as a result of his participation in this research.
Link:
In order to be ethical, the research should have been cancelled when the negative effects were clear, and Watson and Raynor should have counter-conditioned Little Albert at that point rather than allowing him to leave the research with an altered psychological and emotional state.
ETHICAL: AGAINST: CONSENT
Point:
There may have been issues regarding valid consent.
Evidence:
Little Albert was the son of a low-paid hospital worker employed at the hospital where Watson and Raynor worked.
Explanation:
There are question marks regarding whether valid consent was obtained from Albert’s mum. Consent is only valid when an individual understands what will and what could happen in a study. Critics suggest the power difference between the researchers (prominent doctors at the hospital) and Albert’s mum (low-paid worker) meant it would have been difficult for her to refuse.
Link:
If this was the case, Watson and Raynor did not obtain valid consent in the spirit it was intended and the fact that Albert’s mum eventually removed him from the research supports this.
SOCIAL: FOR: EDUCATION
Point:
The results of this research suggest that children’s behaviour can be ‘conditioned’ and this has important implications in the field of education.
Evidence:
Conditioning techniques can be used in education to positively shape young people’s behaviour and maximise their learning and results.
Explanation:
McAllister et al (1969) found that increased use of ‘teacher praise’ and ‘teacher disapproval’ led to a decrease in the incidence of ‘inappropriate talking’ in class (compared to a control condition where there was no decrease).
Link:
The use of conditioning techniques on children within schools can maximise educational achievement and teach children the skills required to succeed in society, ensuring generations of children are prepared for the workforce.
SOCIAL: AGAINST: CHILDREN
Point:
Using conditioning techniques on schoolchildren does not always yield positive implications for society.
Evidence:
Conditioning techniques in education can have a negative effect on children. For example, some argue that the notion of rewards/punishments is harmful to a child’s internal motivation to learn. Lepper et al (1973) supports this criticism; nursery children who were asked to draw a nice picture in turn for a reward dedicated half the time to their drawing than children who had not been promised a reward.
Explanation:
This means that society would be at risk of creating generations with no intrinsic motivation, who are reliant on receiving rewards in order to complete a task.
Link:
Society requires individuals who are self-motivated, as beyond childhood, rewards are not as readily available, and as such, conditioning children in this way has long-term negative effects.
