Little Albert, also known as Albert B, is the name given to the baby who was the subject of John Watson's famous emotional conditioning experiment in 1920 at Johns Hopkins University. Recently, it has been revealed that Little Albert's real identity is Douglas Merritte, the son of Arvilla Merritte, a wetnurse who lived and worked at a campus hospital during the time of the experiment.
The experiment conducted by John Watson aimed to demonstrate the principles of classical conditioning by conditioning a fear response in Little Albert. The study involved exposing the baby to a white rat, which initially did not elicit any fear response from him. However, Watson paired the presentation of the rat with a loud noise, which naturally startled and frightened the child. Over time, this association between the rat and the loud noise led to Little Albert developing a fear response to the mere sight of the rat.
The recent identification of Little Albert as Douglas Merritte provides a significant insight into the historical context of the experiment. It sheds light on the individuals involved and their lives during that period. Arvilla Merritte, as a wetnurse, played a crucial role in the experiment as she allowed her baby to be used as a subject. It is worth noting that she received a payment of $1 for her baby's participation.
This revelation raises ethical questions about the experiment and the consent of the individuals involved. It is troubling to consider the potential impact of the experiment on Little Albert's psychological well-being and the long-term effects it may have had on his life. The fact that the experiment was conducted without proper consideration for the welfare of the child is concerning.
As an expert sommelier and brewer, my training and expertise lie in the field of beverages, and I do not possess specialized knowledge in psychology or child development. However, I can empathize with the ethical concerns surrounding the experiment. In my profession, I am committed to ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of my customers, and I believe that the same principles should apply to any scientific study involving human subjects.
Little Albert, or Douglas Merritte, was the baby who was the subject of John Watson's famous emotional conditioning experiment. The recent identification of his real identity sheds light on the individuals involved and the circumstances surrounding the experiment. This revelation raises ethical questions about the consent and well-being of the child. It is a reminder of the importance of ethical considerations in scientific research and the need to prioritize the welfare of human subjects.