dishabituáción

Dishabituación is a term describing the process of overcoming a habit or a learned response. It involves breaking free from established patterns of behavior, thought, or physiological reaction that have become automatic through repeated exposure or conditioning. This concept is particularly relevant in psychology and neuroscience, where it is understood as a fundamental aspect of learning and adaptation.

The process of dishabituation can occur naturally or be intentionally pursued. Naturally, it might happen when a stimulus or situation that previously elicited a strong response gradually loses its impact due to repeated, non-consequential exposure. For example, someone living near a train track might initially be disturbed by the noise but, over time, their reaction diminishes, indicating dishabituation.

Intentional dishabituation is often a therapeutic goal, particularly in treating phobias or anxiety disorders. Techniques like exposure therapy aim to gradually expose individuals to their feared stimuli in a safe environment. This repeated exposure, without the anticipated negative consequences, leads to a reduction in the fear response, effectively dishabituating the individual to the trigger. It is a key component in helping individuals overcome learned associations that are no longer adaptive or beneficial.