Criticisms of Instinct Theory of Motivation
The instinct theory of motivation faced significant criticism. A major point of contention was the lack of consensus among early psychologists, like William James and his contemporaries, on what exactly constituted an instinct, leading to differing lists of proposed instincts. The theory was further challenged by the undeniable role of learning in shaping human behavior. Experiments in the early 1900s, such as Watson's work with "Little Albert," demonstrated that behaviors once considered instinctive could be the result of associative learning.
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Criticisms of Instinct Theory of Motivation
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Criticisms of Instinct Theory of Motivation
In 1920, John Watson and Rosalie Rayner repeatedly paired a loud noise with the approach of a white rat to condition a fear response in a young child. This landmark demonstration of how emotional responses can be learned is known as the ____ experiment.
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Examples of Proposed Human Instincts (James's Era)
A psychologist observes that a young child exhibits a strong fear of dogs. An early proponent of the instinct theory of motivation would likely argue this is an innate, unlearned survival mechanism. Which of the following alternative explanations for the child's behavior best illustrates a primary criticism of the instinct theory?