Higher-order Conditioning

Definition

Higher-order conditioning is a concept in classical conditioning where a neutral stimulus becomes conditioned through its association with another conditioned stimulus, rather than directly with an unconditioned stimulus. It involves creating a chain of associations that can influence behavior or responses.

Example

A dog has been trained to salivate when it hears a bell (Conditioned Stimulus: Bell; Conditioned Response: Salivation). Now, if you ring a second bell before the first one every time, the dog will eventually start salivating to the sound of the second bell alone. This is because the second bell becomes associated with the first bell, which is already linked to food (Unconditioned Stimulus: Food; Unconditioned Response: Salivation). The dog learns that the second bell predicts the first bell, and thus indirectly predicts food.

Why It Matters

Higher-order conditioning demonstrates how complex associations can be formed in the brain. It shows that learning is not limited to direct experiences but can involve chains of indirect connections. This concept is important because it helps explain how behaviors and reactions can develop through cumulative experiences, influencing everything from phobias to consumer behavior. Understanding higher-order conditioning also highlights how our brains make predictions based on past associations, which plays a role in decision-making and problem-solving.

See Also

• Classical Conditioning