Watson’s experiment was one of the most interesting experiments on classical conditioning. It has been the reference of conditioning experiments that help psychologists understand behavior acquirement. The main aim was to show the empirical evince of classical conditioning. The methodology used had a clear background that established the child’s inherent or previously learned fears. This added credibility to the whole experiment. The preliminary test of Albert’s baseline fears presented an authentic knowledge of his nature.
When Albert was introduced to a rat, he initially showed no fear. He tended to move towards it and even touched it. This showed no any learned behavior especially on fear. The experiment proceeded in the following way. Introduction of the unconditioned stimulus-the loud sound resulted in to an unconditioned responses- fear. A neutral stimulus-rat with an unconditioned stimulus-loud sound resulted in unconditioned response fear (Steven Schwarts, 1988). Successive introductions of conditioned stimulus-rat resulted in conditioned response-fear.
The experiment indicates that Albert seemed to generalize his response to furry objects. This experiment presented the basic aspects that conditions people to behave in a certain manner. However, the experiment does not offer a good back up evidence of the actual response to other objects other than stating them. The attempt to find out whether acquired stimulus could be desensitized was not carried out. Albert was too young to understand some basic and inherent dangers that some phenomena like loud noise. There is no actual follow-up in the life of Albert to show that he retained the stimulus after he came of age.
If I were Watson, I would have used more stimuli to find out whether the response would be the same. I would also choose a mature person other than Albert who was too young then.
Work cited
Steven Schwartz. Classic Studies in Psychology. Palo Alto: Mayfield Publishing,1986. Print.
