Exploring the Little Albert Study: Ethics and Impact on
School
Pitt Community College**We aren't endorsed by this school
Course
ART 111
Subject
Psychology
Date
Dec 12, 2024
Pages
6
Uploaded by JudgeFlyMaster1071
Little Albert: A Scholarly Review of a Case Study Amikeia Williams Pitt Community College PSY –150-41IN General Psychology Professor Riggs December 11, 2024
Abstract The Little Albert study, done by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner in 1920 is a key experiment in psychology. It showed how classical conditioning can create emotional reactions in people. This review looks at both the good and bad sides of the study. On one hand, it was an innovative look at behaviorism. On the other hand, there were big issues. Albert's parents did not give proper consent. They also did not help Albert get over his fear. Plus, the study only involved one child. Even though the study helped with behavior therapy and understanding emotions, it raised serious ethical questions. In the end, this paper discusses what this means for how we approach research and ethics in psychology today. Introduction The Little Albert study is super important in psychology. It taught us that fear can be learned through experiences. John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner conducted this famous experiment back in 1920. They built on some earlier work done by Ivan Pavlov, who studied dogs and how they react to certain things. Instead of dogs, Watson and Rayner decided to focus on a baby named Albert. They made him afraid of a white rat by pairing it with a loud noise. This noise scared him. Over time, Albert did not just fear the rat; he also started fearing other things like a rabbit, a dog, and even a fur coat. This study showed how our experiences shape our behavior. However, it raised fundamental questions about ethics in psychological research. For example, they did not get proper permission from Albert’s mom, and they never helped the child get over his fear after the study was done. In this paper, we will look closely at the study’s good and bad aspects. We will
also discuss what the Little Albert study means for psychology today and the importance of ethics in research. Background of the Case Study Watson and Rayner wanted to see if fear could be created through a process called classical conditioning. At first, Albert was fine with a white rat, a rabbit, or even a dog. But every time they showed him the rat, they also made a loud noise by banging on a steel bar. This loud noise scared him a lot. After doing this a few times, something interesting happened. Albert started crying just at the sight of the rat, even when there was no noise. His fear did not stop with the rat. He began to be afraid of other fluffy things that looked similar. This showed that we can learn feelings based on our surroundings. However, when the study ended, there was no attempt to help Albert overcome his fear. That is a huge issue. Strengths of the Case Study The Little Albert study was groundbreaking. It showed us that fear is not just something we are born with. Instead, it can be learned through what we encounter in our lives. This changed how many psychologists worked. They began to shift their focus from feelings to what we can observe and measure. What Watson and Rayner discovered was helpful for treating conditions like phobias and anxiety. Therapies, such as exposure therapy, are based on their findings. This type of therapy helps people face their fears and reduce anxiety bit by bit.
Weaknesses and Ethical Concerns But, as amazing as the Little Albert study was, it had serious problems. For one, it only used one child. Albert's specific traits might have influenced the results. So, we cannot be sure that the findings would apply to everyone else. Plus, Watson and Rayner did not keep good records. We do not know how many times they scared Albert or how long his fear lasted. Without tracking this, it is hard to make sense of what really happened. They also did not use a control group, which is a standard practice in experiments. A control group would help us see if Albert’s fear was due to the loud noise and the rat or if it were caused by something else entirely. In today’s world, ethical issues stand out even more. Watson and Rayner did not get consent from Albert’s mom, and they did not explain the risks involved. They put Albert through distress and did not do anything to help him feel better afterwards. Because of this, he could have faced long-term problems. The American Psychological Association now has strict guidelines to protect people from harm and to ensure proper consent is obtained. The situation with the Little Albert study serves as a reminder of how important these rules are. Implications for Modern Psychology Despite its flaws, the Little Albert study changed psychology in a big way. It demonstrated that emotions can be learned experiences. This finding laid the groundwork for behavior therapy, a method still used today for treating anxiety and fears.
The ethical issues that arose also led to better rules for researchers. Nowadays, guidelines put a priority on the safety and consent of participants. These standards are a direct response to problems like those witnessed in the Little Albert study. Conclusion The Little Albert case study is still frequently discussed in psychology classes and among professionals. It offers vital insights into how we learn emotions. While it contributed to the rise of behaviorism in psychology, it also serves as a warning about the ethics surrounding research. In short, this study is a major milestone in psychology. It reminds us of the importance of protecting participants in research. By learning from the issues faced in the Little Albert study, psychologists today can find a balance between exploring new knowledge and ensuring the well-being of individuals involved in research.