habituaci

Habituación is a fundamental form of non-associative learning. It is characterized by a decrease in response to a stimulus that is repeated or prolonged. This occurs when an organism is exposed to a stimulus repeatedly and no significant consequences are attached to it. Over time, the organism learns to ignore the stimulus, resulting in a diminished behavioral response. For example, if a person lives near a busy train track, they may initially be bothered by the noise. However, with repeated exposure, they will likely stop noticing the sound as much, demonstrating habituation.

Habituation is distinct from sensory adaptation, which involves a change in the sensory receptors themselves. In habituation, the sensory receptors remain functional, but the central nervous system processes the repeated stimulus less and less. This process is thought to be adaptive, as it allows organisms to filter out irrelevant or unchanging stimuli from their environment, thereby freeing up attentional resources for more important or novel stimuli. It is a basic learning mechanism observed across a wide range of species, from invertebrates to humans. The reversibility of habituation, where the response can return if the stimulus is removed for a period and then reintroduced, is also a key characteristic.