Watson and Rayner - classic study

Question 1

what is the aim of watson and rayner study?

Answer 1

• demonstrate that basic emotional responses can be classically in an infant
• to see if fear would generalise to similar stimuli

Question 2

what was the sample of watson and rayner?

Answer 2

• opportunity sampling
• 1 participant = 11 month old boy ‘little albert’

Question 3

what was the procedure of watson and rayner?

Answer 3

1. pre-conditioning;
   albert was showed various objects (white rat, masks) to which he showed no fear + his response to loud noise was tested
2. conditioning;
   1 session per week + white rat (NS) was paired with a loud noise (UCS) from striking a steel bar and the noise made albert cry (UCR)
3. testing for generalisation;
   Albert was shown the rat, a rabbit, dog, santa claus mask = albert showed fear responses to the other objects
4. testing for persistance;
   tests with rat and other objects after 5 days, then after months = fear persisted but was less intense after 5 weeks

Question 4

what where the findings of watson and rayner?

Answer 4

albert learned to fear the rat through classical conditioning

albert showed stimulus generalisation as fear spread to other stimuli

alberts fear lasted weeks showing emotional conditioning can be persistent

Question 5

what are the conclusions of watson and rayner?

Answer 5

phobias can be learned through classical conditioning

fear can generalise to similar objects

emotions aren’t entirely innate as they can be shaped by the environment

Question 6

what is the G for watson and rayner?

Answer 6

• low generalisability
• study used only 1 participant
• results may not generalise to a population including older people, other infants, people from other cultures

Question 7

what is the R for watson and rayner?

Answer 7

• high reliability
• used standardised procedure = stimuli and timings consistent + controlled lab experiment
• could be replicated

Question 8

what is the A for watson and rayner?

Answer 8

• applicable to real life
• shows that phobias can be learned through classical conditioning
• acts as a foundation for phobia treatments = systematic desensitisation + flooding

Question 9

what is the V for watson and rayner?

Answer 9

• high internal validity
• controlled lab experiment
• ensures cause and effect = fear was due to conditioning, not chance

Question 10

what is the E from watson and rayner?

Answer 10

• ethical issues
• psychological harm was purposefully induced to cause a fear response
• goes against BPS guidelines