AP Psychology Practice Test

What is the term for decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation?

1. Adaptation

2. Conditioning

3. Habituation

4. Sensitization

The correct answer is: Habituation

The correct term for decreasing responsiveness with repeated stimulation is habituation. This psychological phenomenon occurs when an organism becomes accustomed to a stimulus after prolonged exposure, leading to a reduction in reaction to that stimulus. For instance, if you live near a train track, you might initially be disturbed by the noise of trains passing but over time become less aware of it as your response decreases. Habituation is a way for organisms to conserve energy and focus on new or significant stimuli that may have more bearing on their survival. This process is fundamental to understanding behavior as it illustrates how individuals adapt their responses to their environments over time. In contrast, adaptation generally refers to the broader process of change in response to the environment, which might include physiological changes. Conditioning relates specifically to learning processes where associations are formed between stimuli and responses. Sensitization is the opposite phenomenon, occurring when exposure to a stimulus leads to an increased response to that stimulus or similar stimuli.