What is the Difference Between Habituation and Sensitization

The main difference between habituation and sensitization is that habituation is a decrease in an innate response to a frequently repeated stimulus, whereas sensitization is the increased reaction to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Habituation and sensitization are two basic ways in which all organisms respond to previous experiences with a stimulus. Moreover, both are forms of non-associative learning.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Habituation
     – Definition, Features, Examples
2. What is Sensitization
     – Definition, Features, Examples
3. Difference Between Habituation and Sensitization
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Habituation, Sensitization, Stimulus, Response

Difference Between Habituation and Sensitization - Comparison Summary

What is Habituation

Habituation is a decrease in an innate response to a frequently repeated stimulus. For example, if you are working with the television playing in the background, the noise will distract you at first. But after a while, you will eventually tune out the noise and focus on your work. This happens because of habituation. Habituation allows you to ignore non-essential stimuli around you and focus on the matters that really need your attention. This is something that happens every day in our lives, but most of us don’t notice it.Compare Habituation vs Sensitization

Another common example is a new ringtone on your phone – when you use a new ringtone, you might find it loud distracting at first, but after a while, you will get used to it. Noise is not the only stimuli in habituation. These stimuli can involve visual, olfactory, gustatory, auditory, and somatosensory systems. For instance, you may not notice the scent of the perfume you use every day, but others around you might notice it. This is because of habituation involving an olfactory stimulus. Habituation happens when you do not respond to a stimulus that frequently occurs without change, punishment, or reward. As this stimulus happens over and over, we learn not to pay attention to it. Furthermore, habituation is a form of non-associative learning.

What is Sensitization

Sensitization is the increased reaction to a stimulus after repeated exposure to that stimulus. Here, in contrast to habituation, you become more sensitive to the stimulus as time goes on. In psychology, this refers to a non-associative learning process by which frequent exposure to a stimulus increases the strength of the reaction to a stimulus.

For example, let’s look at a child who is bullied at school. At first, the bullying may not bother him much, but as the bullying continues frequently, he may develop a more sensitive reaction to it. The child may gradually become quiet, withdrawn, and antisocial.

Sensitization can also involve the strengthening of a reaction to a stimulus due to the response to a secondary stimulus. For example, a soldier returning from a war zone might respond to a loud noise like a car backfiring differently. It might sound like a gunshot or a bomb blast to him, and he might respond by dropping to the ground, even if there is no threat.

Difference Between Habituation and Sensitization

Definition

Habituation is a decrease in an innate response to a frequently repeated stimulus, whereas sensitization is the increased reaction to a stimulus after repeated exposure.

Responsiveness

While habituation results in a decrease in responsiveness, sensitization results in an increase in responsiveness.

Conclusion

The main difference between habituation and sensitization is that habituation is a decrease in an innate response to a frequently repeated stimulus, whereas sensitization is the increased reaction to a stimulus after repeated exposure. In other words, habituation results in a decrease in responsiveness, while sensitization results in an increase in responsiveness.

Reference:

1. Cherry, Kendra. “What Does It Mean to Be Habituated to Something?” Verywell Mind, 2 Dec. 2020.
2. “Habituation, Sensitization, and Potentiation.” Lumen Boundless Psychology.

Image Courtesy:

1. “General Adaptation Syndrome” By David G. Myers – Exploring Psychology 7th ed. (Worth) page 398. (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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