Final answer:
The Little Albert experiment is an example of stimulus generalization in classical conditioning, where a conditioned fear response to a white rat generalized to other similar stimuli, such as a rabbit and a Santa Claus mask.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phenomenon observed in the Little Albert experiment, where Albert learned to fear not only a white rat but also other similar objects like a rabbit and a Santa Claus mask, is an example of stimulus generalization. In classical conditioning, stimulus generalization occurs when a conditioned response (CR) is elicited by stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus (CS), even though these stimuli have never been associated with the unconditioned stimulus (UCS). To summarize the key components of this experiment: the loud sound was the UCS, which naturally provoked the unconditioned response (UCR) of fear. The white rat was the CS, which after conditioning, elicited the conditioned response (CR) of fear in Little Albert. Subsequently, other furry and white objects began triggering fear due to generalization of the conditioned fear response. Mary Cover Jones later conducted research that aimed to counter-condition the learned fears, which is often referred to in relation to the Little Albert study.
John Watson's experiment with Little Albert serves as a classic example of classical conditioning, showcasing both conditioned emotional responses and stimulus generalization, which are fundamental concepts in behavioral psychology. Watson's experiment is also frequently discussed in relation to ethics in psychological research due to its controversial nature by modern standards.