Understanding Habituation: Key Concept in Psychology

Subject : Biology

Question:

Which of the following statements describes habituation?

A. A decrease in perceptual response to a repeated stimulus

B. Giving priority to a particular incoming sensory message

C. Ingrained patterns of organization and attention that affect our daily experience

D. A readiness to perceive in a particular manner, induced by strong expectations

Expert Verified Solution:

The correct answer is A. A decrease in perceptual response to a repeated stimulus. Habituation refers to the process by which an individual’s response to a repeated stimulus diminishes over time. This phenomenon occurs because the stimulus becomes less novel or significant, leading to a decrease in the intensity or frequency of the perceptual response. It is a fundamental form of learning that allows organisms to focus on new or changing stimuli rather than responding to stimuli that are constant or unchanging.

Here’s a brief explanation of why the other options are not correct:

B. Giving priority to a particular incoming sensory message refers to selective attention, not habituation.
C. Ingrained patterns of organization and attention that affect our daily experience describes cognitive schemas or mental frameworks, not habituation.
D. A readiness to perceive in a particular manner, induced by strong expectations relates to perceptual set or expectation, not habituation.