Watson and Rayner's Little Albert study aimed to determine whether humans learn through classical conditioning and whether fear can be conditioned in a child.

Watson and Rayner's Little Albert study aimed to determine whether humans learn through classical conditioning and whether fear can be conditioned in a child.

• A. To determine if humans learn via classical conditioning and can have fears conditioned in a child.
• B. To test operant conditioning in toddlers.
• C. To observe natural temperament in infants.
• D. To measure IQ changes after conditioning.

Answer: (A)

The idea being tested is that emotional responses like fear can be learned through a process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a frightening event—classic conditioning in humans. Watson and Rayner aimed to show that a child could acquire fear by pairing something neutral (the white rat) with something aversive (a loud noise). If the rat comes to provoke fear on its own after conditioning, that demonstrates that humans can learn fears through classical conditioning, which is exactly what this option states. This focus is distinct from operant conditioning, which looks at how behaviors are shaped by consequences (rewards or punishments). It’s also not about natural temperament, which would involve observing innate traits without conditioning. And it isn’t about measuring IQ or cognitive changes after conditioning. The option that aligns with the study’s goal is the one that asserts both learning via classical conditioning and the conditioning of fear in a child.

The idea being tested is that emotional responses like fear can be learned through a process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a frightening event—classic conditioning in humans. Watson and Rayner aimed to show that a child could acquire fear by pairing something neutral (the white rat) with something aversive (a loud noise). If the rat comes to provoke fear on its own after conditioning, that demonstrates that humans can learn fears through classical conditioning, which is exactly what this option states.

This focus is distinct from operant conditioning, which looks at how behaviors are shaped by consequences (rewards or punishments). It’s also not about natural temperament, which would involve observing innate traits without conditioning. And it isn’t about measuring IQ or cognitive changes after conditioning. The option that aligns with the study’s goal is the one that asserts both learning via classical conditioning and the conditioning of fear in a child.