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Watson’s “Little Albert” Experiment

Watson’s “Little Albert” Experiment. One of the most controversial and well known studies that used Classical Conditioning. Tested the belief that fear could be acquired through CC. Albert was 11months old. Watson (and Rayner ) put Albert on a mattress with a white lab rat (CS).

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Watson’s “Little Albert” Experiment

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  1. Watson’s “Little Albert” Experiment One of the most controversial and well known studies that used Classical Conditioning. Tested the belief that fear could be acquired through CC. Albert was 11months old. Watson (and Rayner) put Albert on a mattress with a white lab rat (CS). Albert showed no fear and played with it happily. Then while he was playing, a loud startling sound was made.

  2. “The child started violently, his breathing was checked and the arms were raised in a characteristic manner. On the second stimulation the same thing occurred, and in addition the lips began to pucker and tremble. On the third stimulation the child broke into a sudden crying fit. This is the first time an emotional situation in the laboratory has produced any fear in Albert.”

  3. Watson’s “Little Albert” Experiment These associations continued and eventually Albert began to show distinct fear at the presence of the rat, even when the noise was taken away.

  4. Watson’s “Little Albert” Experiment Watson then decided to see if this fear would be generalised. They found that Albert had similar fearful reactions to a white rabbit, a dog and a sealskin coat. He also showed slightly less fearful reactions to a Santa mask and to cotton wool balls.

  5. White Rat (NS) No unusual response White Rat (NS) Gong/Loud Noise (UCS) Fear (UCR) White Rat (CS) Fear (CR)

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