---
title: "Habituation — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Habituation is when you stop responding to a repeated, harmless stimulus. Learn how it differs from sensory adaptation and shows up in AP Psych Unit 3."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/habituation"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Habituation — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

Habituation is the process of becoming desensitized to a repeated or continuous stimulus, resulting in a decreased response over time. It occurs when our brain filters out non-threatening information that is constantly present.

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Sensory Adaptation](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/sensory-adaptation): Sensory adaptation refers to the process where our sensory receptors decrease their responsiveness to a constant or unchanging stimulus. This allows us to focus on relevant sensory information in our environment.
- Dishabituation: Dishabituation occurs when a previously habituated stimulus suddenly changes or stops, causing us to regain sensitivity and respond again.
- Sensory Overload: Sensory overload happens when we are exposed to an overwhelming amount of sensory input that exceeds our processing capacity. It can lead to feelings of stress and difficulty concentrating.