Little Albert – one of the most famous subjects in the history of psychology has finally been identified. Researchers spent 7 years tracking down every possible lead in order to discover who John Watson’s "Albert B" really was. In this video episode I take you through each step of the extensive detective work to uncover his identity. It’s a fascinating, creative, and in the end touching journey. Some never seen before pictures are included. Join me in this episode of The Psych Files.
As much as Pavlov’s dogs, Skinner’s pigeons, and Milgram’s obedience experiments, the conditioning of Albert is the face of psychology. To many, Little Albert embodies the promise and, to some, the dangers inherent in the scientific study of behavior” – Beck, et al, p. 613
Resources for this Episode
- Beck, H. P., Levinson, S., & Irons, G. (2009). Finding Little Albert: A Journey to John B. Watson’s Infant Laboratory. American Psychologist, 64, 605-614.
- Many thanks to Hall Beck for his support, background information and photos that appear at the end of this episode. Professor Hall Beck’s homepage at Appalachian State University.
- More information on the myths and truths of the famous Little Albert Study can be found here in episode 47.
- Little Albert Video: There are a lot of Little Albert videos on YouTube, but most of them contain poor quality video. This little albert video, although it has no sound, looks the best.
- I am happy to share the slides I used in the video. The slides were created in Apple Keynote, which you can download by clicking here: Finding Little Albert. A PowerPoint version can be downloaded by clicking here: Finding Little Albert, and a pdf version is available by clicking here: Finding Little Albert.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a very interesting episode.
Considering the debate Nature vs Nurture, some might say: ” Genetic holds the gun, environment pulls the trigger.”
Little Albert is and will stay the James Dean of Psychology, an Experimental icon.
Thank you for your work.
very very good video… I enjoyed it a lot, thank you… Nearly had tears in my eyes at the sight of the grave.. poor Douglas.. he was a really sweet, cute little boy.
The “James Dean” of pschology – I like that. Liyah: I too was a bit moved by the whole thing. It’s a fascinating story. Thanks for the comments.
It is critical to note that the death of Little Albert does not discredit the ethical issues associated with Watson’s empirical study. It would be intriguing to discover how he contracted hydrocephalus. Perhaps exhumation and modern technology could examine his cause of death.
Maybe that will be someone else’s great discovery. Well, allons-y!
It’s the firt time I acess Psych Files and I feel very glad to find such an interesting content abou psychology for free on internet. Congratulations! Little Albert’s experiment always shoked me in a way and it’s good to see a more humanitarian view of the case. Very good video.
Really good video. Answered who Little Albert really was. Just wish we could find out more, how he contracted the illness? Sadly he only lived 6years, but had the effects of the experiment played any part in his 6years of life? Theres a million more questions i could ask, but again really pleased with the work and answers we now have.