key term - Habituation

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.

Related 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.