What is Higher Order Conditioning in Psychology?
Higher order conditioning in psychology refers to a complex process in which a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a conditioned stimulus, leading to a conditioned response. This concept is a fundamental aspect of classical conditioning, which was first introduced by Ivan Pavlov in the early 20th century. Higher order conditioning builds upon the basic principles of classical conditioning, allowing for the formation of more intricate and layered associations between stimuli and responses.
In the classical conditioning model, a neutral stimulus (NS) is paired with an unconditioned stimulus (US) to elicit a conditioned response (CR). For example, Pavlov’s famous experiment involved pairing the sound of a bell (NS) with the presentation of food (US), which naturally elicits salivation (CR). Over time, the bell alone (now a conditioned stimulus, CS) would trigger salivation, even in the absence of the food. This is the essence of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus acquires the ability to elicit a response that was originally associated with another stimulus.
Higher order conditioning takes this a step further by introducing a second neutral stimulus (NS2) that becomes associated with the conditioned stimulus (CS). In this case, the NS2 is not initially capable of eliciting the conditioned response (CR) on its own. However, through the process of higher order conditioning, the NS2 becomes a conditioned stimulus, capable of producing the CR when paired with the original conditioned stimulus (CS).
An example of higher order conditioning can be found in the experiment conducted by B.F. Skinner, where a dog was trained to press a lever to receive food. After the dog had learned this behavior, a new stimulus, such as a light, was paired with the lever pressing. Eventually, the light alone became a conditioned stimulus, capable of eliciting the dog’s behavior (pressing the lever) without the need for the food.
Higher order conditioning has several implications in psychology and related fields. It plays a crucial role in understanding the development of phobias and other anxiety disorders. For instance, a person with a fear of flying may have developed a higher order conditioned response to the sound of a plane engine, which was initially associated with the fear of flying. This higher order conditioning can also explain the formation of complex emotional responses and the influence of social learning.
Furthermore, higher order conditioning has practical applications in various contexts, such as advertising and education. Advertisers often use higher order conditioning to create associations between their products and positive emotions or experiences. Similarly, educators can leverage this concept to enhance learning by pairing new information with familiar and relevant stimuli.
In conclusion, higher order conditioning in psychology is a sophisticated process that extends the principles of classical conditioning. By understanding how neutral stimuli can become associated with one another and elicit conditioned responses, we can gain insights into the complex workings of human behavior and learning. This knowledge has implications for various fields, from clinical psychology to marketing, and can help us better understand and influence the world around us.
