Answer to Question #239861 in Psychology for CCW

Question

Read Little Emotional Albert by Watson & Rayner

1) Summarize what you read

Answer 1

Summary of Little Emotional Albert by Watson & Rayner

Article Report on "Little Emotional Albert" J.B. Watson and his study assistant Rosalie Rayner set out in 1920 to demonstrate that individuals acquire emotional responses. The study was designed to bolster Watson's behaviorism movement, which asserts that an individual's behaviors are shaped by external factors such as a variety of diverse environmental stimuli, such as a rat. Throughout this trial, the rat would be the primary source of horror. Watson enlisted the aid of Albert B., a nine-month-old orphan who had been nurtured exclusively as an orphan since birth. Albert appeared to be a healthy infant, both cognitively and physically, during the initial assessment. As demonstrated in the essay, the loud noise had ceased to exist. Albert had been informed that if a white rat was placed in front of him, terrible things would happen. Albert will become fearful whenever he sees a white rat. Watson determined if the fear was acquired exclusively for the white rat or if it was acquired in general. Albert was initially evaluated to determine whether he still frightened rats, which he did. Then a white rabbit materialized in front of him, and he immediately became fearful.

Watson and doctoral student Rosalie Rayner introduced the 9-month-old "Albert B" to a white rat and other hairy creatures, which he delighted in playing with. Watson afterwards made a loud noise behind Albert's head while he was playing with the white rat. Watson and Rayner returned the animals and hairy materials without the frightening noise following a series of training sessions. As a result of the indoctrination, once fascinating and interesting creatures and objects had become horror triggers. The parts of the puzzle eventually fit together. Douglas and his mother share many of the same characteristics as Albert and his mother. Douglas' mother, like Albert's, worked at the Harriet Lane Home, a pediatric hospital on the university campus.

Reference

Watson & Rayner  Little Emotional Albert