Thad returns home from class on a hot summer's evening, turns on the air conditioner full blast, and sits down to watch television. His roommate Sean returns home an hour later and wonders how Thad can hear the television above the loud noise of the air conditioner. Thad remarks that he doesn't even notice the sound. Which process causes the air conditioner to seem louder to Sean than to Thad?

Question

Thad returns home from class on a hot summer's evening, turns on the air conditioner full blast, and sits down to watch television. His roommate Sean returns home an hour later and wonders how Thad can hear the television above the loud noise of the air conditioner. Thad remarks that he doesn't even notice the sound. Which process causes the air conditioner to seem louder to Sean than to Thad? ​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Sensory adaptation is the process by which our sensitivity to unchanging stimuli decreases over time, allowing Thad to become less aware of the air conditioner's noise.

Thad Returns Home from Class on a Hot Summer's Evening