Evaluation

• Evaluation - M+P


  Strengths =

  • W+R went to great lengths to ensure a high level of control. It took place in a controlled environment - extraneous variables could be controlled (objects, light, noise, room)
  • There was a baseline test (emotional response) done to see responses to stimuli before the study - W could then be sure fear responses to the stimuli were due to study + not personality
• Evaluation - M+P 2


  Strengths =

  • Study was filmed - provides visual record + future psychologists can view and see the accuracy of conclusions. It could also be replicated + checked for reliability
  • Control condition was used which showed Alberts fearful responses were exclusively to furry objects
• Evaluation - Alternative evidence


  Two process theory (Mowrer) -

  • Explained why classical conditioning doesn't disappear over time
  • Once a fear is learned an individual will avoid the situation producing a fear - negative reinforcement
• Evaluation - Learning is not the only explanation


  Ost (1978):

  • Not all phobias are proceeded by a conditioning episode

  Di Nardo et al (1998):

  • Some people have experienced a traumatic incident + don't develop a fear

  Seligman (1970):

  • Argued that humans + animals are genetically programmed to rapidly learn an association between certain stimuli + fear (ancient fear)
• Evaluation - Ethical issues

  1. Creating a fear
  2. More psychological harm
  3. Lasting effects
• Ethical issues - Creating a fear

  • Psychological harm - Albert suffered a lot of distress + harm
  • In modern psychology - ethical guidelines state that a participant should leave an experiment in the same state they arrived. They should also experience no more stress than what they would come across everyday life. Both had been breached as Albert left the study with a phobia he didn't previously have
• Ethical issues - More psychological harm

  • W+R made this worse
  • They noticed Albert had started to suck his thumb - calmed him down but also reduced the effect of loud noise conditioning Albert
  • To observe full effects of feared stimuli they removed his thumb from his mouth
  • Wanted to make sure he was really scared
• Ethical issues - Lasting effects

  • W+R were meant to remove Albert's learned conditioned response but did not which could have an impact on his future
  • He will continue to be fearful of fluffy objects
  • They also should have told the mother all of the procedures + long term consequences