What is a response to one stimulus becomes associated with a different stimulus?
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Second-order conditioning is a form of associative learning in which after a stimulus becomes conditioned through an initial step of association (first-order) becomes the basis for a subsequent stimulus to become conditioned (second-order). It is higher-order conditioning. Show
SOC can be found in classical conditioning and operant conditioning. There are three phases in the second-order learning mechanisms1. Phase 1 (1st order conditioning) – the neutral stimulus is followed by an unconditioned stimulus (US) and becomes a first-order conditioned stimulus (CS1) that can elicit a conditioned response (CR). Phase 2 (2nd order conditioning) – another neutral stimulus is followed by CS1 and becomes the second-order conditioned stimulus (CS2). Phase 3 – CS2 alone can elicit the same CR that CS1 can even though CS2 has never been directly paired with the US. Second-order conditioning examplesExample of second-order conditioning in animalsHere are the SOC training phases Pavlov (1927) conducted on his dog2. Phase 1 – the sound of a metronome (CS1) was paired with the presentation of food (US) to trigger salivation in the dog (CR). Phase 2 – the dog saw a black square (CS2) paired with the sound of a metronome. Phase 3 – then the dog salivated at the sight of the black square. Example of second-order conditioning in humansIt is easier to find second-order learning in animals than in humans although SOC in humans does exist. Here is a SOC experiment conducted on humans3. Phase 1 – a geometric shape (CS1) was paired with an aversive loud noise (US) to generate an electrodermal response. Phase 2 – a picture (CS2) was paired with the geometric shape. Phase 3 – CS2 alone could elicit an electrodermal response. Models of SOCThere are many theoretical models attempting to explain SOC. They can be categorized into four types based on the different kinds of associations formed during SOC. S-R learning modelCS2 and CR develop a direct connection when CS1 is present during the second-order training. CS2-CS1-US-CR modelIn a chain of association fashion, CS2 will evoke a CS1 representation, and CS1 will evoke the US representation, which in turn will evoke CR. CS2-US-CR modelA direct link between CS2 and US is established during the second-order training trial. Therefore, CS2 could activate the CR. CS2-CS1-CR modelThere is an association between CS1 and CS2 where CR emission is only due to the CS1 representation in CS2. Post-SOC extinctionOne special character of conditioning in the second order is that extinction in a first-order stimulus does not necessarily lead to extinction in the second-order stimulus4. After SOC has been established, extinction occurs if first-order CS is repeatedly presented without being followed by the US. However, even after the first-order association has been extinguished, the second-order CS persists more or less at the same magnitude. The second-order association has not been affected by the first-order extinction5. SOC in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)The difficulty in extinguishing second-order pavlovian conditioning may contribute to PTSD. In PTSD, the trauma is the US and patients’ fear response is the UR. During the trauma, environmental cues become a conditioned stimulus (CS1) through first-order aversive conditioning. Later, CS1 becomes associated with another environmental cue through the conditioning of S2. Later, even though the trauma is no longer present and CS1 is extinguished, CS2 remains associated with it and can trigger continued fear responses for many years6. Also See: Higher Order Conditioning References
About Pamela Li Pamela Li is a bestselling author. She is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Parenting For Brain. Her educational background is in Electrical Engineering (MS, Stanford University) and Business Management (MBA, Harvard University). What is it called when one conditioned stimulus is used to create another?Higher order conditioning, also known as second order conditioning, occurs when a conditioned stimulus becomes associated with a new unconditioned stimulus. The corresponding phenomenon in operant conditioning is called secondary reinforcement.
What is the process of associating one response to another?Classical conditioning (also known as Pavlovian or respondent conditioning) is learning through association and was discovered by Pavlov, a Russian physiologist. In simple terms, two stimuli are linked together to produce a new learned response in a person or animal.
When a response becomes attached to a new stimulus?Classical Conditioning – when a person's or animal's old response becomes attached to a new stimulus.
When someone can tell the difference between one stimulus and another?Stimulus discrimination is a term used in both classical and operant conditioning. It involves the ability to distinguish between one stimulus and similar stimuli. In both cases, it means responding only to certain stimuli, and not responding to those that are similar.
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