Questions and Answers
Who is known as the father of behaviorism?
John B. Watson
What was John B. Watson's early career focused on?
Psychological processes in animal psychology
What conditioned fear response did Lil Albert exhibit?
Watson's conditioned response to Lil Albert was specific only to rats.
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What caused John B. Watson's downfall?
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What does behaviorism emphasize?
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In 1928, Watson suggested treating children as though they were ______.
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Which of the following was NOT part of Watson's recommended approach to treating children?
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Study Notes
John B. Watson
- Pioneered behaviorism, emphasizing observable behavior rather than introspection.
- Focused on psychological processes in animals, seeking methods applicable across species.
- Criticized internal mental states due to lack of agreement and validity among psychologists.
Little Albert Experiment
- Conducted a famous experiment demonstrating conditioned fear in a child.
- Established a fear response where the rat (conditioned stimulus) was paired with a loud sound (unconditioned stimulus).
- The child's fear (conditioned response) generalized to other similar stimuli like a white rabbit, white fur coat, and Santa Claus mask.
Professional Downfall
- Experienced a dramatic career decline after engaging in an affair with a student.
- Consequences included losing leadership roles such as president of the American Psychological Association and chair of the psychology department at Johns Hopkins University.
Behaviorism
- Defined as the theory that behavior changes arise primarily from conditioning rather than biological factors.
- Advocated for the study of observable behavior to understand psychological processes.
Psychological Care of Infant and Child (1928)
- Proposed a controversial approach to child care, treating infants as young adults.
- Suggested objective treatments, including firm but kind discipline and avoiding physical affection (e.g., no hugging or kissing).
- Emphasized the importance of maintaining an objective stance towards children to foster good behavior and development.
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Description
Discover the pivotal concepts of John B. Watson, the father of behaviorism, through these flashcards. Learn about his revolutionary approach to psychology and his famous experiment with Little Albert, which illustrated classical conditioning in humans.