Sensitization

Definition

Sensitization is a form of non-associative learning where repeated exposure to a stimulus leads to an increased response. This process enhances the sensitivity to stimuli over time, often in reaction to a significant or noxious stimulus, which can affect future responses to both the original and related stimuli.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sensitization can lead to heightened responses not just to the original stimulus but also to other similar stimuli, creating a broader impact on behavior.
2. This phenomenon is often observed in cases of traumatic experiences, where an individual may become overly sensitive to related cues or triggers.
3. Sensitization is different from habituation, where the response decreases with repeated exposure instead of increasing.
4. Neurobiological studies suggest that sensitization may involve changes in synaptic strength within neural circuits, affecting neurotransmitter release and receptor sensitivity.
5. Sensitization can play a role in various psychological conditions, such as anxiety disorders, where individuals exhibit exaggerated responses to perceived threats.

Review Questions

• How does sensitization differ from habituation in terms of response patterns to stimuli?
  • Sensitization and habituation are two contrasting processes of non-associative learning. While sensitization involves an increased response to a stimulus after repeated exposure, especially if it is aversive or significant, habituation represents a decrease in response when an organism is exposed repeatedly to a benign stimulus. This fundamental difference highlights how organisms adapt to their environments: sensitization leads to heightened awareness of potentially harmful stimuli, while habituation allows them to focus on more important aspects by filtering out irrelevant information.
• Discuss the neurobiological mechanisms that might underlie sensitization and its effects on behavior.
  • The neurobiological basis of sensitization is thought to involve synaptic changes within neural circuits that enhance signal transmission. Repeated exposure to a significant stimulus can increase the release of neurotransmitters and modify receptor sensitivity at synapses. This process leads to an amplified response not just to the original stimulus but also to similar ones. Such mechanisms can significantly affect behavior, as individuals may become more reactive and sensitive to environmental cues that they associate with past significant experiences.
• Evaluate how sensitization might contribute to the development of anxiety disorders and the implications for treatment approaches.
  • Sensitization can be a critical factor in the development of anxiety disorders, as individuals who have experienced trauma may develop heightened sensitivity to related triggers. This increased reactivity can perpetuate cycles of anxiety and avoidance behavior. Understanding this connection is vital for treatment approaches, as therapies like exposure therapy can help desensitize patients by gradually introducing them to feared stimuli in controlled environments. Moreover, pharmacological interventions may target neurotransmitter systems involved in sensitization, aiming to reduce exaggerated responses and improve coping mechanisms.

Related terms

Habituation: A decrease in response to a repeated, benign stimulus, allowing organisms to ignore unimportant stimuli.

Non-associative Learning: A type of learning that involves changes in the strength of response to a stimulus without the formation of associations between stimuli.

Conditioning: A learning process that involves creating associations between stimuli and responses, often used in behavioral psychology.