Gertrude put on a new watch this morning and found it uncomfortable because it was so much heavier than her old watch.However, at 3:00 o'clock when someone asks her for the time Gertrude finds she has forgotten she is even wearing the watch.The change in Gertrude's sensitivity to the pressure of the watch illustrates the principle of:
A)perceptual invariance
B)perceptual assimilation
C)changing difference thresholds
D)sensory adaptation

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gertrude's experience of forgetting she is wearing the watch indicates that she has adapted to the pressure sensation, which can be explained by the principle of sensory adaptation. This principle states that our senses adapt to constant or unchanging stimuli over time, leading to a decrease in sensitivity to them. This phenomenon can apply to any of our senses, including touch (as in Gertrude's case), as well as vision, hearing, taste, and smell.

Gertrude Put on a New Watch This Morning and Found