Habituation of the vasoconstrictive orienting reaction.

Abstract

Habituation of the vasoconstrictive orienting reaction was explored via an experimental paradigm in which acoustically novel stimulation characterized each successive trial: namely, numbers presented seriatim. 12 of 20 human Ss reached a habituation criterion of 3 successive non-reactions to successive numbers[long dash]followed by the immediate reinduction of vasoconstriction upon presentation of an out-of-sequence number. This phenomenon was designated selective habituation to distinguish it from the often found stimulus specificity in the habituation process. Certain of the experimental phenomena encountered, bearing on the use of photoelectric plethysmography as a research technique, were briefly noted, and some implications of selective habituation for present theorizing about habituation-mediating brain processes, with special reference to Sokolov''s neuronal model, were suggested.