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First, the 11-month-old boy was allowed to play with various animals (rats, rabbits, etc) he was not initially afraid of. Next, Watson began pairing the animal contact with a loud clanging noise. When Little Albert touched the animals, the loud noise sounded, and over time, the boy was afraid of animals.

Strength

Watson's experiment proved that emotions could become conditioned responses.

Weaknesses

Watson did not reverse the conditioned fear. Little Albert died at age 6 from hydrocephalus, which is a condition when fluid builds up in the brain.

Today, psychologists view Watson's experiment as unethical because of the fear he installed in the child in conducting the experiment, & his lack of effort to undo the conditioned fear.

The Little Albert Experiment

John Watson performed this experiment to prove his belief that a child's environment is the factor that shapes behaviors over their genetic makeup or natural temperament.

genetic makeup: refers to the genes that determine what you look like

natural temperament: combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits of a person

Strengths & Weaknesses

Name of Theorist: John Watson

Aspect of Development Their Theory is Focused on: Behaviorism

How Did Watson's Theory Relate to Child Development?

Sometimes, when a child is exposed to certain environments, they grow to know certain things or to be afraid or enjoy certain things.

Ex) -a child growing up in an environment with lots of pets is likely to grow up to have a strong love for animals if there was no tragic memories with the pets

Relevant Information

Ex) -a child living in a home where smoking is normal may grow up to believe smoking is a good thing

1. Watson's thinking was significantly influenced by the earlier classical conditioning experiments of Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov and his now infamous dogs.

2. John Watson worked with Rosalie Rayner during this experiment.

Quick Vid

John Watson Child Development Theory

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