Mind changers. Part 1, John Watson and little emotional Albert.

The first in a four-part series looking at the work of key influential psychologists. Here, Claudia Hammond explores the work of the 'father of behaviourism' J.B. Watson. Together with Ivan Pavlov J.B. Watson spearheaded the behaviourist movement which dominated American psychology for most of the 20th century. Watson went further than proclaiming that all physical behaviour is learned or conditioned, but that emotional responses could also be conditioned. He attempted to prove this theory in a series of experiments with a small boy, Little Albert B, an orphan since birth. Watson's aim was to generalise fear in the young child so that neutral stimuli could engender a response of fear. Here, various experts in psychology and behaviourism discuss his life and work.