Question

in an effort to demonstrate that phobias were the result of environmental conditioning rather than mental processes, a researcher conditioned an 8 - month - old child named albert to have an intense fear of a white fluffy rat. while the result supported the researcher’s behaviorist viewpoint, which of the following reasons explains why this research would not be allowed today?
a the use of confederates in the research created too much deception.
b there was no operational definition of the variables being tested.
c it created too much stress for the participant, which violates the code of ethics for psychological research.
d researchers are not allowed to work with children under the age of 18.

Explanation:

• Option A: The Little Albert experiment didn't use confederates, so this is incorrect.
• Option B: The experiment had operational definitions (e.g., conditioning fear of the rat), so this is wrong.
• Option C: The experiment caused significant stress (creating a phobia) for the infant, violating ethical codes that protect participants from harm/stress, so this is correct.
• Option D: Researchers can work with children (with proper ethics approval), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

C. It created too much stress for the participant, which violates the code of ethics for psychological research.