Final answer:
Habituation is a type of non-associative learning where an organism learns to ignore non-threatening stimuli after repeated exposure, while sensitization is when they become more responsive to harmful stimuli. These adaptive processes help conserve energy and improve survival.
Step-by-step explanation:
Habituation and Sensitization
Habituation is a straightforward form of non-associative learning where an animal or human stops responding to a repeated stimulus that is non-threatening. Over time, this saves energy and prevents unnecessary reactions to benign stimuli. For example, prairie dogs often signal an alarm when they sense predators, but they become habituated to commonplace sounds like human footsteps when these do not result in harm, hence they stop reacting with alarm calls. This type of learning is seen across many animal species, including humans, demonstrating its universal importance for survival.
Sensitization, while not explicitly described in your question, is the opposite process, where an organism becomes more responsive to a stimulus after repeated exposure, especially if it is potentially harmful. This helps in being more alert and responsive to dangers in the environment.
Both habituation and sensitization exist because they are adaptive processes that help organisms better cope with their environments. By ignoring the harmless and being attuned to the dangerous, animals can conserve energy, focus on essential activities like feeding, and improve their chances of survival.