The tendency of the brain to stop attending to constant, unchanging information is known as

• A. sensory overload.
• B. sensory adaptation.
• C. habituation.
• D. event-related adaptation.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the concept of 'habituation'. Habituation is a psychological phenomenon where there is a decrease in response to a stimulus after being repeatedly exposed to it. This is a form of learning where the brain stops responding to constant, unchanging information.
2. Differentiate between 'habituation' and 'sensory adaptation'. While both involve a decrease in response to stimuli, sensory adaptation refers to the sensory receptors becoming less responsive to constant stimuli, whereas habituation involves the brain's response.
3. Consider the term 'sensory overload'. This is a condition where one or more of the body's senses experiences over-stimulation from the environment. It is the opposite of habituation, as it involves too much information rather than a decrease in response.
4. Reflect on 'event-related adaptation'. This term is not commonly used in psychology to describe the brain's tendency to stop attending to constant information. It might refer to changes in response due to specific events, but it is not the correct term in this context.
5. Conclude that the correct term for the brain's tendency to stop attending to constant, unchanging information is 'habituation', as it specifically describes the decrease in response due to repeated exposure to the same stimulus.