Final answer:
The process of becoming less sensitive to unchanging stimuli over time is known as sensory adaptation, which should not be confused with habituation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The fact that we become less sensitive over time to unchanging or repetitious stimuli is called sensory adaptation. This phenomenon demonstrates that while sensation and perception are closely associated, they are distinct processes. Sensory adaptation allows us to tune out stimuli that do not change over time, such as the flashing light in a hotel room or the sound of a ticking clock, provided they are not associated with a change in situation or potential harm. This is different from habituation, which is a form of non-associative learning where an organism reduces its response to a stimulus after repeated exposure, without any punishment or reward being involved.