Higher-Order Conditioning
Higher-order conditioning is a type of learning that occurs when an animal or person learns to associate a previously neutral stimulus with a stimulus that has already been associated with a particular response or behavior. This type of conditioning is also known as “second-order conditioning.”
An example of higher-order conditioning might be a person who learns to associate the sound of a bell with the sight of food. In this case, the bell is the neutral stimulus, and the sight of food is the unconditioned stimulus that naturally elicits a response (such as salivation). Through higher-order conditioning, the person learns to associate the bell with the sight of food, and the bell becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits the same response as the sight of food.
Higher-order conditioning is thought to involve the involvement of higher-order cognitive processes, such as attention and memory, and it is thought to be more complex than simple classical conditioning, which involves the association of a single stimulus with a response. Higher-order conditioning is also thought to play a role in the development of habits, as well as in the acquisition of new skills and knowledge.
Higher-order conditioning has been studied in a variety of animal species, including rats, pigeons, and humans, and it has been found to be a robust and reliable form of learning. It is an important area of study in psychology, as it helps to shed light on the cognitive processes involved in learning and memory, and it has practical applications in fields such as education and behavioural therapy.
Higher-order conditioning is thought to involve the strengthening of associations between stimuli through repeated exposures, just like simple classical conditioning. However, it is thought to be more complex because it involves the association of a previously neutral stimulus with a stimulus that has already been associated with a particular response or behavior.
One of the key differences between higher-order conditioning and simple classical conditioning is the number of stimuli that are involved. In simple classical conditioning, there are two stimuli: the unconditioned stimulus (such as food) and the neutral stimulus (such as a bell). In higher-order conditioning, there are three stimuli: the neutral stimulus (such as a bell), the conditioned stimulus (such as the sight of food), and the unconditioned stimulus (such as the taste of food).
Higher-order conditioning is thought to be more resistant to extinction than simple classical conditioning, which means that it is harder to eliminate the learned response once it has been established. This is because the learned response in higher-order conditioning is mediated by multiple stimuli, rather than just one, which makes it more robust and stable.
Higher-order conditioning has been studied in a variety of contexts, including the laboratory and the real world. It has been found to be a reliable and robust form of learning that occurs in a wide range of animal species, including humans. It is an important area of study in psychology, as it helps to shed light on the cognitive processes involved in learning and memory, and it has practical applications in fields such as education and behavioral therapy.