Watson & Rayner (AO3)

• Used the same apparatus and conducted the testing in the same, quiet room. This is a strength because?

  It increases reliability as the lab experiment used a standardized procedure which was easily replicated
• They used one baby (labelled as healthy and normal) but was later tested for hydrocephalus from birth. This is a weakness because?


  The result only represent babies with hydrocephalus therefore it cannot be generalised to all children.
• A number of controls put in place such as Albert had no prior learning due to his age that could have influenced. This is a strength because?


  It increases internal validity and allowed Watson & Rayner to establish cause and effect
• An unnatural environment and situation was created where Albert was exposed to the rat multiple times with a loud noise which doesn't reflect everyday life. This is a weakness because?


  It lowers ecological validity, in real life Albert wouldn't be confronted with multiple stimuli, in a room with only a mattress.
• Useful applications demonstrating that phobias can be learnt through classical conditioning. This is a strength because?

  It has led to the creation of systematic desensitization which is a treatment for phobias.
• Albert was conditioned to fear numerous white furry stimuli, his mother removed him before his fear could be removed and therefore left in a different state of mind from how he entered. This is a weakness because?


  Highlights ethical issues and violates the present day guidelines of protection. However, the development of therapy may outweigh the costs