When Consuela first put on her scarf, she could feel it quite easily. After a while, however, Consuela forgot that she was wearing a scarf at all; the sensation was gone. Which of the following processes is occurring?

• A. Numbness
• B. Sensory adaptation
• C. Habituation
• D. Sensory fatigue

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by understanding the concept of 'habituation'. Habituation is a psychological process where there is a decrease in response to a stimulus after repeated exposure. It is a form of learning where the individual becomes accustomed to a stimulus over time.
2. Consider the scenario: Consuela initially feels the scarf, but over time, she no longer notices it. This suggests that her sensory system has adjusted to the constant presence of the scarf, leading to a reduced response.
3. Differentiate between 'habituation' and 'sensory adaptation'. Sensory adaptation refers to the reduction in sensitivity to a stimulus due to the sensory receptors becoming less responsive. Habituation, on the other hand, involves the brain learning to ignore a stimulus that is deemed non-threatening or irrelevant.
4. Evaluate why 'habituation' is the correct answer in this context. The key aspect is that Consuela's brain has learned to ignore the constant stimulus of the scarf, rather than her sensory receptors becoming less responsive.
5. Reflect on how habituation is a common occurrence in daily life, such as not noticing the sound of a clock ticking or the feeling of clothing on the skin after wearing it for a while. This helps in understanding how the brain prioritizes new and changing stimuli over constant ones.