Overview
This lecture discusses John B. Watson's behaviorism, his famous experiments on conditioning, his approach to child-rearing, and the debate between genetic inheritance and environmental influence.
Watson’s Theory of Behaviorism
- Watson claimed that he could shape any infant into any kind of adult through environmental conditioning.
- He viewed psychology as an objective natural science focused on predicting and controlling behavior.
- Unlike Freud and Jung, Watson dismissed internal thoughts, emphasizing observable actions and reactions.
- Behavior, according to Watson, is either a reflex triggered by stimuli or shaped by past reinforcements and punishments.
The Little Albert Experiment
- Watson and Rayner used classical conditioning to instill fear in eight-month-old Albert toward a white rat.
- Initially, Albert showed no fear, but after pairing the rat with a loud noise, he developed a lasting and generalized fear of furry objects.
- The experiment demonstrated that new behaviors could be learned, not just inherited.
Environmental Determinism in Child Development
- Watson believed intelligence and personality are determined primarily by environment, not genetics.
- In "The Psychological Care of Infant and Child," Watson advised parents to be emotionally distant to avoid spoiling children.
- His ideas led to widespread advice discouraging parental affection and promoted methods like sleep training.
Outcomes and Criticism
- Watson applied his approaches to his own children, all of whom suffered significant psychological difficulties.
- He later regretted his advice on child-rearing, admitting he lacked sufficient knowledge.
Nature vs. Nurture Debate
- The lecture raises the question: Are traits passed down genetically or shaped by upbringing and environment?
Key Terms & Definitions
- Behaviorism — A psychological approach focusing on observable behavior, not thoughts or feelings.
- Classical Conditioning — Learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a response due to pairing with another stimulus.
- Generalization — When conditioning to one stimulus spreads to similar stimuli.
- Sleep Training — A child-rearing method that encourages babies to sleep independently by allowing them to cry without intervention.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Reflect on the impact of environment versus genetics on behavior for class discussion.
- Read more about classical conditioning and the nature vs. nurture debate.