Jones, Mary Cover (1924). A laboratory study of fear: the case of Peter. Pedagogical Seminary, 31(4), 308-315. http://psycnet.apa.org/record/1992-24352-001

This article describes a case study of “little Peter,” a nine-year-old boy who exhibited a fear of white rabbits. Mary Cover Jones, the researcher, employed classical conditioning techniques to attempt to eliminate Peter’s phobia. The study involved pairing the rabbit (conditioned stimulus) with a pleasant stimulus (food) to create a positive association and extinguish the fear response.

Methods and Participants:

• Participants:The study involved a single participant, Peter, a nine-year-old boy with a phobia of white rabbits.
• Methods:The researcher used classical conditioning. Initially, the rabbit was presented alone, and Peter’s fear response (crying) was observed. Subsequently, food (unconditioned stimulus) that elicited a positive response (eating) was paired with the gradual introduction of the rabbit (conditioned stimulus). This pairing was repeated over several sessions with the goal of creating a positive association with the rabbit and extinguishing the fear response.

Weaknesses and Ethical Issues:

• Limited Generalizability:The study relies on a single case study, limiting the generalizability of the findings to a broader population.
• Ethical Considerations:Modern research ethics guidelines were not established in 1924. The study might not meet current ethical standards regarding informed consent and potential psychological distress caused to the participant.
• Limited Data Analysis:The study relies on basic observation and lacks objective measures of fear reduction.

Replication in Another Culture:

This study could potentially be replicated in Japan, a culture with a different perspective on fear and research participation. However, several considerations would be necessary:

• Language Differences:The experiment would require translation into Japanese and ensure cultural appropriateness of the wording and instructions.
• Oral vs. Written Culture:Japanese culture traditionally emphasizes oral communication. Consider adapting instructions or incorporating storytelling elements to better engage participants.
• Social Norms:In Japan, collectivism and social harmony are valued. The research design should be sensitive to avoiding situations that might cause undue anxiety or embarrassment to the participant.
• Attitudes Toward Research:Building trust with the participant and their family is crucial. Explaining the research goals and procedures clearly and obtaining informed consent is vital.

Ethical considerations in the replica study would require:

• Parental or guardian consent for a child participant.
• Transparency about the research process and potential risks and benefits.
• The right of the participant to withdraw from the study at any time.
• Debriefing the participant and their family after the study to explain the findings and address any concerns.

By adapting the research design to the cultural context and adhering to stricter ethical guidelines, a similar study could be conducted in Japan to explore the generalizability of Jones’ findings.