Watson and Rayner (1920)

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Watson and Rayner (1920)

Advantages

  • The case of Little Albert was carefully documented.
  • Witnesses helped record the data and there were strict controls.
  • Only one variable was changed at a time.
  • If it was ethical to be repeated, replicability and reliability could have been shown.
  • It is evidence that classical conditioning can occur in humans.
  • Although Pavlov showed it occurred in dogs, it may have been unreliable to generalise the findings to humans.
  • Useful to understand how to acquire phobias.

Disadvantages

  • The study was unethical. He was cl;early distressed, and although they let him rest between tests, they continued even though he was clearly unhappy and frightened.
  • They did not extinguish the fears so it is possible they remained.
  • The setting and tasks were artificial so it lacks ecological validity.
  • The pure existence of a lab setting may have made Little Albert initially anxious and distressed.

Evaluation

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