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Stories of trauma, behaviourism and symbolism in art (PART TWO)

tonya2bIvan Pavlov showed that classical conditioning applied to animals. In a famous, though ethically controversial experiment, John Watson and Rayner (1920) showed that it applied to humans, as well. They showed that classical conditioning could not only be used to produce a particular or desired reaction to neutral stimuli, but it could also be used to create an irrational fear, a phobia. Little Albert was not afraid of rats. He was not afraid of this neutral stimulus. However, little Albert was afraid of loud noises. While 11 month Albert was happily playing with his white rat Watson struck a hammer against a steel bar, which naturally produced a loud and unpleasant noise. This was done repeatedly over the following weeks and each time little Albert would display signs of fear and he would burst into tears. Eventually, little Albert only had to see the rat in order to display fear and distress. He had learnt to be afraid of rats.

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Trauma stories, behaviourism & symbolism in art (PART ONE)tonya1aI Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou (1928-2014)

The free bird leaps on the back of the wind

And floats downstream till the current ends

And dips his wings in the orange sun rays

And dares to claim the sky

 

But a bird that stalks down his narrow cage

Can seldom see through his bars of rage

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

So he opens his throat to sing

 

The caged bird sings with fearful trill

Of the things unknown but longed for still

And his tune is heard in the distant hill

For the caged bird sings of freedom

 

The free bird thinks of another breeze

And the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright lawn

And he names the sky his own

 

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams

His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream

His wings are clipped and his feet are tied

So he opens his throat to sing

 

The caged bird sings with fearful trill

Of the things unknown but longed for still

And his tune is heard on the distant hill

For the caged bird sings of freedom