Although Watson is often regarded as the founder of behaviorism, his contributions to psychology are highly debated. Animal experimentation on human subjects, and the infamous Little Albert experiment, in particular, raises many ethical questions. Not much was done to protect Albert B. after the experiment, nor were attempts made to “unconditional” him or monitor his mental health following the experiment. In 1936, Watson wrote in Psychological Review, “It is my belief that we can learn nothing about the child except through studying the reactions of children.”
Quite apart from that Albert B was only nine months of age, so could not give her consent – and neither could the parents who followed Watson’s misguided childcare advice. But, because of the attention these experiments drew, experimental psychologists were forced into considering their responsibilities and designed more ethical experiments. Behaviorists reverted to animal subjects – although the ethics of animal experimentation was later also questioned. Where it was felt necessary, human subjects would be used. The rule of thumb became that subjects had to be willing adults.
