Compare and Contrast Habituation and Sensitization

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The Answer is Habituation and sensitization are two different processes that occur in response to repeated stimuli.

Habituation is the process by which an organism becomes less responsive to a stimulus after being exposed to it repeatedly. This can be seen in everyday life, such as when we stop noticing background noises or smells after being exposed to them for a period of time. Habituation is a form of non-associative learning, meaning it does not involve the association of different stimuli or responses.

On the other hand, sensitization is the process by which an organism becomes more responsive to a stimulus after being exposed to it repeatedly. This can occur in response to a particularly intense or aversive stimulus, causing an increased sensitivity to similar stimuli in the future. Sensitization is also a form of non-associative learning.

While habituation and sensitization may seem like opposite processes, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive. In fact, they can occur simultaneously in response to different aspects of a stimulus. For example, an individual may habituate to the background noise of a busy street while simultaneously becoming sensitized to the sound of a car horn.

In conclusion, habituation and sensitization are indeed different concepts, as they involve opposite changes in responsiveness to a stimulus. However, they are not entirely separate processes and can occur simultaneously in response to different aspects of a stimulus.

Compare and Contrast Habituation and Sensitization

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