ABSTRACT
Virtually all species of animals cease responding to stimuli that are of little biological consequence (Wyers, Peeke, & Herz, 1973). This process, typically described as habituation, allows the animal to respond to those aspects of the environment that are novel or of potential survival importance while at the same time preventing the fatigue and distraction that would result from continued responding to inconsequential stimuli. Thus habituation is of vital importance, because it allows the animal to attend and respond to biologically important stimuli with maximal economy. The simplicity and fundamental importance of habituation may explain why habituation is the first form of learning to emerge phylogenetically and why it has been retained throughout evolution.
