Sensory adaptation is what?

Sensory adaptation is what?

• A. Increased sensitivity
• B. No change
• C. Enhanced perception
• D. Reduced sensitivity

Answer: (D)

Sensory adaptation is when sensory receptors become less responsive to a constant stimulus over time. When a stimulus remains steady, the nerves reduce their firing, so you notice it less and less. This helps your brain focus on new or changing information rather than being overwhelmed by ongoing input. For example, you might stop noticing a persistent smell after a while or hardly feel the clothes against your skin once you’ve been wearing them. Because the system lowers its response to the continuing input, the outcome is reduced sensitivity to that stimulus. Increased sensitivity would be sensitization, no change would mean the signal stays the same, and enhanced perception isn’t how adaptation is described; adaptation specifically means a drop in responsiveness to a steady stimulus.

Sensory adaptation is when sensory receptors become less responsive to a constant stimulus over time. When a stimulus remains steady, the nerves reduce their firing, so you notice it less and less. This helps your brain focus on new or changing information rather than being overwhelmed by ongoing input. For example, you might stop noticing a persistent smell after a while or hardly feel the clothes against your skin once you’ve been wearing them. Because the system lowers its response to the continuing input, the outcome is reduced sensitivity to that stimulus. Increased sensitivity would be sensitization, no change would mean the signal stays the same, and enhanced perception isn’t how adaptation is described; adaptation specifically means a drop in responsiveness to a steady stimulus.