We explore the pattern of linear and non-linear optical (NLO) response of 2-electron singlet quantum dots in two dimensions with or without anharmonicity in the confinement potential. The influence of transverse magnetic field strength (B) on linear (alpha), first (beta), and second (gamma) NLO response of the system are analyzed. A simple, exactly solvable model involving two interacting harmonic oscillators is exploited to explain some of the observations. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.