Meaning & use
habituation
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Meanings
noununcountable
A decrease in response to a stimulus that results from repeated or prolonged exposure to it.
Grammar: Usually uncountable; can be used with 'the' when referring to a specific instance: 'the habituation of the reflex'.
Patterns
- habituation to something
- habituation of something
The habituation of the startle response was measured in the experiment.
After repeated exposure, the animals showed habituation to the loud noise.
Habituation to the background music made it barely noticeable.
noununcountablemedical
The condition of becoming psychologically or physically accustomed to a drug, often requiring larger amounts to feel the same effect.
Grammar: Used in medical and pharmacological contexts; often followed by 'to'.
Patterns
- habituation to a drug
- drug habituation
Long-term use can lead to habituation to the medication.
The patient developed habituation to the painkillers and needed a higher dose.
Habituation to caffeine is common among regular coffee drinkers.
Common combinations
- habituation to something
- Habituation to the constant noise made it hard to notice.
- drug habituation
- Drug habituation can occur with repeated use of sedatives.
- habituation of a response
- The habituation of the reflex was evident after several trials.
- show habituation
- The subjects showed habituation to the repeated stimulus.
Synonyms and how they differ
- acclimatization
- Often used for getting used to a new climate or environment, not for a decrease in response to a stimulus.
- adaptation
- Can mean a change that improves fit, while habituation is specifically a reduced response.
- tolerance
- In pharmacology, tolerance is similar but often implies a need for higher doses; habituation is more about psychological dependence.
Opposites
Word family
- habituate verb
- To make or become accustomed to something.
- habituated adjective
- Accustomed to something through repeated exposure.
Commonly confused: habituation or habit? habituation or addiction?
habituation vs habit
A habit is a regular behavior; habituation is the process of becoming less responsive.
habituation vs addiction
Addiction involves compulsive use despite harm, while habituation is a reduced response or psychological dependence.
Practice
In psychology, what does 'habituation' refer to?
Choose one answer.
The correct answer is B because habituation is defined as a reduced response after repeated exposure. An is the opposite (sensitization). C is a pharmacological sense but not the main psychological meaning. D describes classical conditioning, not habituation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “habituation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.