Totuttamista

Totuttamista is a Finnish term referring to the process of becoming accustomed to something or the act of habituation. In everyday language it describes adjusting to new environments, routines, or sensory experiences. In psychology and behavioral sciences, totuttaminen corresponds to habituation—a basic form of learning in which repeated exposure to a neutral or non-threatening stimulus reduces the organism's response over time. The effect is typically context-specific and can be temporary or long-lasting depending on the stimulus and the pattern of exposure.

Causes and mechanisms: Repetition leads to decreased physiological arousal and attention toward the stimulus. In infants, totuttaminen to sounds, textures, or foods supports development and feeding. In therapy, gradual exposure is used to desensitize anxiety, under controlled conditions to avoid adverse effects.

Applications: In education and parenting, gradual familiarization helps establish routines and reduce distress when introducing new tasks. In sensory science, researchers study how people adapt to new textures, smells, or temperatures. In occupational settings, acclimation to new tools or procedures is a practical example of totuttamista.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from totuttaa 'to accustom' with the nominalizing suffix -minen; totuttamista is the form used in sentences requiring the partitive or other inflection. The term appears in everyday speech as well as in scientific writing, with emphasis on learning, acclimation, or adjustment.