Unraveling Little Albert

docx

School

Miami Dade College, Miami *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

2012

Subject

Psychology

Date

Dec 6, 2023

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by GeneralWolf3878

1 Unraveling Little Albert: Ethical Considerations in Early Behavioral Research Vanessa Viniegra Broward College Online PSY2012: General psychology online Richard J. Dehmer, L.M.H.C. October 22, 2023

2 Unraveling Little Albert: Ethical Considerations in Early Behavioral Research The main ethical problem with the Little Albert study conducted by John B. Watson and Rosalie Rayner lies in the lack of informed consent and the potential for harm inflicted upon the participant. According to the APA Code of Conduct, psychologists are required to obtain informed consent from participants and protect them from harm. In the case of Little Albert, a 9-month-old infant, he and his mother were not adequately informed about the nature of the experiment, nor were they aware of the potential emotional distress it might cause. Moreover, exposing a young child to fear-inducing stimuli without proper debriefing or follow-up care violates ethical standards. The study's unethical nature is further accentuated by the fact that Little Albert's identity was kept confidential for decades, preventing any potential long-term monitoring or support. Several modifications would be essential to align the study with the APA's Code. First and foremost, obtaining informed consent from both the child and the parent or guardian is imperative. Researchers must transparently explain the purpose, procedures, and potential risks involved in the experiment. Additionally, the researchers should have provided adequate debriefing to the participants and offered support for any emotional distress that may have resulted from the conditioning process. Lastly, ensuring the ongoing well-being and psychological health of Little Albert by following up with him throughout his life would have been ethically responsible.

3 While the Little Albert study contributed valuable insights into classical conditioning, its ethical shortcomings cannot be ignored. The potential harm caused to Little Albert in terms of developing lasting fears and anxieties raises questions about the study's ethical justification. In assessing the benefit of learning the results of the study, it is essential to acknowledge that the ethical breaches may overshadow the scientific value. Other ethical experiments that adhere to informed consent, participant well-being, and transparency can contribute to scientific knowledge without causing undue harm. In conclusion, the Little Albert study's ethical issues, including the lack of informed consent, potential harm to the participant, and the absence of post-experimental support, highlight the need for stringent adherence to ethical standards in psychological research. While the study provided insights into classical conditioning, the ethical breaches compromise its overall value. Ethical experiments should prioritize the well-being of participants and adhere to guidelines set forth by organizations like the APA, ensuring the responsible advancement of scientific knowledge.

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

4 1. . McLeod,S.A."ClassicalConditioning-SimplyPsychology."Luettavissa: https://www.simplypsychology.org/classical-conditioning.html . html. Luettu 25 (2008): 2013. 2. Harris,Ben."WhateverhappenedtolittleAlbert?"Americanpsychologist 34.2 (1979): 151. 3. Till,BrianD.,andRandiLynnPriluck."Stimulusgeneralizationinclassical conditioning: An initial investigation and extension." Psychology & Marketing 17.1 (2000): 55-72. 4. Ethical guidelines from the APA Code of Conduct: https://www.apa.org/ethics/code

Related Documents

WEEK 6 QUIZ.pdf

Unit5AssignmentPSY7115.docx

Week 7 Assignment PSY7115.docx

unit 6 assignment.docx

unit 5 assignment.docx

PSY 321 Module One Essay.docx

Self Portrait (1).docx

Week 4 - Bowen Brochure Notes.docx

question 2.docx

Week 2 - Intro to Relationship Therapy.pptx

Week 3 - Applying an EFT Approach as Couples Define Roles and Rules.docx

Navigating Humanity in a Hypothetical Crisis.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780134477961

Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White

Publisher:PEARSON

Cognitive Psychology

Psychology

ISBN:9781337408271

Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.

Publisher:Cengage Learning,

Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...

Psychology

ISBN:9781337565691

Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)

Psychology

ISBN:9780393265156

Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...

Psychology

ISBN:9781285763880

Author:E. Bruce Goldstein

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)

Psychology

ISBN:9781305652958

Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz

Publisher:Cengage Learning

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Ciccarelli: Psychology_5 (5th Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780134477961
Author:Saundra K. Ciccarelli, J. Noland White
Publisher:PEARSON
Cognitive Psychology
Psychology
ISBN:9781337408271
Author:Goldstein, E. Bruce.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Introduction to Psychology: Gateways to Mind and ...
Psychology
ISBN:9781337565691
Author:Dennis Coon, John O. Mitterer, Tanya S. Martini
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Psychology in Your Life (Second Edition)
Psychology
ISBN:9780393265156
Author:Sarah Grison, Michael Gazzaniga
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research a...
Psychology
ISBN:9781285763880
Author:E. Bruce Goldstein
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Theories of Personality (MindTap Course List)
Psychology
ISBN:9781305652958
Author:Duane P. Schultz, Sydney Ellen Schultz
Publisher:Cengage Learning