Habituation

Definition

Habituation is a simple form of learning where an organism decreases or ceases its responses to a repetitive stimulus that is neither harmful nor rewarding. This process allows the organism to conserve energy and attention for more significant stimuli.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Habituation does not involve sensory adaptation or fatigue; it is a behavioral response reduction.
2. It can be seen in many animal species, from invertebrates like snails to vertebrates like birds and mammals.
3. Habituation helps animals focus on novel stimuli that might indicate food, mates, or threats.
4. Recovery from habituation occurs if the stimulus is withheld for a period; this is known as spontaneous recovery.
5. Repeated habituation and spontaneous recovery cycles can lead to long-term habituation, where the decrease in response becomes lasting.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes habituation from sensory adaptation?
• Why is habituation considered an adaptive behavior?
• How does spontaneous recovery relate to habituation?

Related terms

Sensitization: An increased response to a stimulus following repeated exposure.

Classical Conditioning: A learning process that pairs a neutral stimulus with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit a conditioned response.

Operant Conditioning: A method of learning that employs rewards and punishments for behavior.