PSYC 100 Lecture Notes - Aversion Therapy, Exposure Therapy, Reinforcement
17 Jun 2013
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Document Summary
Habituation is a decrease in response to a repeated stimulus. Simple form of learning that occurs within the central nervous system, not within the sensory neurons. e. g. you habituate to the feeling of your clothing against your skin. That tactile information has been presented continuously with no important consequences, so you no longer notice it. If, however, there is reason to become aware of skin sensations, perhaps because of a wasp or a mosquito in your vicinity, you suddenly become keenly aware. Sensitization is an increase in response to a repeated stimulus. e. g. when touched a metal door handle, and received a static electric shock. If you then touch another metal object and receive a second shock, you will jump a little more, pull your hand back a little more quickly. Its purpose is to increase responses to a potentially dangerous stimulus. Learning is a process by which experience produces a relatively enduring change in an organism"s behaviour or capabilities.
