What is the term for diminished sensitivity as a consequence of constant stimulation?

The term for diminished sensitivity as a result of constant stimulation is sensory adaptation. This phenomenon occurs when sensory receptors become less responsive to constant stimuli over time. For example, when you first enter a room with a strong scent, you may notice the odor intensely, but after a while, you may hardly notice it at all. This process allows our sensory systems to focus on changes in the environment rather than on constant stimuli, which helps us remain alert to new and potentially significant information.

Habituation, while related, specifically refers to a decrease in behavioral response to a stimulus after repeated exposure. This involves learning rather than a sensory mechanism. Weber's Law pertains to the relationship between the change in a stimulus and the original stimulus, emphasizing the proportional nature of perception. Perceptual set refers to the mental predisposition to perceive one thing and not another, shaped by experiences, expectations, and culture.

Sensory adaptation is a crucial concept in understanding how we interact with and perceive our environment as it helps to prevent sensory overload and enables us to detect changes that might indicate important events or dangers.