evaluate social + ethical issues of Watson and Rayner (8)

• Psychological harm

  • P: major ethical issue in Watson and Rayners study is psychological harm caused to little albert through deliberate induction of fear

  • E: researchers paired a loud noise with a white rat to condition fear, and even when removed Albert‘s thumb from his mouth when he tried to self-soothe, intensifying his distress

  • E: clearly exceeds what is considered acceptable distress in psychological research, especially for a vulnerable infant who could not give informed consent. Although researchers argued Albert would eventually encountered fear outside nursery, methods deliberately created and maintained distress that would have not occurred naturally

  • L: raises serious ethical concerns about protecting participants, especially children from harm in psychological studies
• Lasting effects and responsibility

  • P: another ethical concern is lasting emotional effects on Albert, researchers failed to address

  • E: Watson and rayner admitted they were unable to decondition Albert‘s fear responses as he was removed from hospital before this could take place, despite knowing fear could persist indefinitely

  • E: shows poor planning and lack of consideration for participant’s long-term wellbeing. Should have ensured informed consent from Albert’s mother and planned a thorough deconditioning beforehand. failure demonstrates neglect of duty of care and highlights need for tighter ethical guidelines in research

  • L: study had serious social implications, influencing how psychologists view treatment of vulnerable participants and contributing to development of modern ethical standards