In 1920, psychologist John B. Watson conducted a controversial experiment on a 9-month-old infant known as “Little Albert” to test conditioned fear. Initially unafraid, Albert developed a deep fear of furry objects after Watson repeatedly paired a white rat with a loud, frightening noise. The study, inspired by Pavlov’s conditioning theory, became a cornerstone of behaviorism.
However, ethical concerns arose—Albert’s mother was misled, and no effort was made to reverse the trauma. Decades later, researchers identified Little Albert as Douglas Merritte, a child with neurological issues who died at six from hydrocephalus. Experts now believe his health problems were ignored and that his distress was exploited.
The experiment, once hailed as groundbreaking, is now criticized for its lack of consent, disregard for well-being, and possibly flawed results. Douglas’s story serves as a tragic reminder that ethics and compassion must always come before scientific ambition.
