Home > Psychology MCQ Questions and Answers > Becoming easily irritated or overly sensitive after a distressing event is an example of—
Becoming easily irritated or overly sensitive after a distressing event is an example of—
A
Imprinting
B
Habituation
C
Sensitization
D
Reflexive Behaviour
Correct Answer:
C
Sensitization
- Sensitization refers to an increased response to a strong or aversive stimulus.
- It occurs when exposure to a distressing event heightens later reactions.
- Individuals may respond intensely even to minor or harmless stimuli afterward.
- This leads to irritability, anxiety, or oversensitivity in behaviour.
- It reflects heightened emotional and behavioural reactivity due to prior experience.
- Sensitization is a type of non-associative learning.
- It does not require pairing of two different stimuli.
- In contrast, habituation involves a decreased response to repeated stimuli.
- Imprinting is early-life learning related to attachment, not reactivity.
- Reflex actions are automatic responses, independent of past emotional experiences.