sensitization sensitization

What Is Sensitization in Psychology? 5 Interesting Things to Know

Sensitization in psychology refers to a primary procedure through which an individual becomes more responsive or reactive to a specific stimulus over a period. As a result, this phenomenon occurs as an outcome of repeated exposure to the stimulus, sometimes leading to an extended height of emotional or psychological reactions. 

Sensitization in psychology was pioneered by Eric Kandel in the 1960s. His efforts were acknowledged when he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2000.

Conversely, habituation is where a person becomes little responsive to previously habituated responses. For instance, when an individual experiences a traumatic affair, they might become sensitized because of the trigger related to that specific trauma.

Moreover, it means when the person encounters reminders of the traumatic incident, like sounds or conditions, their emotional and psychological reactions can increase, possibly causing stress or anxiety. 

Therefore, underlying mechanisms of behavioral sensitization include transformation in the brain’s neural circuit and neurotransmitter system. Hence, these tiny changes increase the brain’s ability to identify and respond to that stimulus. It can also apply to several aspects of life, including aversion and physical sensation. 

In most cases, understanding electrical or chemical stimulation is essential in psychology as it focuses on how repeated experience shapes a person’s emotional and behavioral responses, impacting their psychological health and overall quality of life. 

What is Sensitization?

1. Sensitization in Psychology in Details 

Sensitization in psychology is fascinating and a fundamental concept that turns the central idea of heightened responsiveness to a particular stimulus as an outcome of repeated stimulation. Indeed, there are various concepts of sensitization in psychology. Here are some: 

1.1. Sensitization Vs Habituation 

Dual Process Theory of Habituation and Sensitization

In psychology, sensitization and habituation showcase two fundamental processes that affect how a person responds to stimuli. Sensitization includes a slight rise in responsiveness to a specific stimulus after repeated stimulus.

For example, if an individual continually encounters a loud noise, they might be sensitized to it, making them more likely to respond strongly whenever they hear it.

On the other hand, habituation refers to the opposite experience where a person becomes less responsive towards a stimulus with repeated administration. 

1.2. Stimulus Specialty 

man in the dark
image from Unsplash

Secondly, the central essential aspect of sensitization is its stimulus-particular nature. It means that a person becomes sensitized to a particular stimulus while not stimulated by another similar stimulus. 

For instance, an individual might be sensitized to a particular type of insect sting that leads to an excessive fear response when encountering that specific insect but not involuntarily to another insect.

The Icy Canada team talked to Ronnie Adamowicz, Psychotherapist, RonnieAdamowicz, about rage rooms benefits to cope with with stress and anxiety. Here is what he said:

Ronnie Adamowicz - Featured
Ronnie Adamowicz

“Rage rooms, from my perspective as a psychotherapist and based on the experiences conveyed by some of my clients, serve as an unconventional yet potent means of stress and anxiety alleviation.

The primary efficacy of these spaces lies in their ability to provide a physically safe and emotionally cathartic outlet for the expression of pent-up frustrations and feelings. 

The act of breaking objects in a controlled environment allows individuals to externalize their internal emotions in a manner that is both tangible and immediate, which can be particularly therapeutic for those who may struggle with more traditional forms of emotional expression.

Furthermore, in terms of fitting into broader discussions about mental health and alternative therapeutic practices, rage rooms highlight the ongoing evolution of our understanding and approaches to mental wellness.

They underscore the necessity of acknowledging and accommodating diverse coping mechanisms and therapeutic needs. 

By offering an alternative to conventional talk therapy, rage rooms expand the repertoire of available mental health resources, catering to individuals who might benefit from more kinetic or experiential forms of expression.

This inclusivity and adaptability in therapeutic practices are crucial for addressing the multifaceted nature of mental health in our society.”

1.3. Neurobiological Process 

Thirdly, sensitization is profoundly rooted in the neurological process in the brain. Overall, these processes involve slight changes in neural circuits and are hugely influenced by the function of neurotransmitters.

When a person is continually exposed to stimuli, their brain undergoes modification, elevating responsiveness to a particular stimulus. 

1.4. Change in Neural Circuit 

In this case, repeated exposure to a stimulus triggers adjustments in the neural circuit, intensifying the individual response to a specific stimulus. 

So, these changes in the brain’s wiring system make the stimulus very salient, strengthening an emotional or psychological reaction. 

1.5. Role of Neurotransmitter 

Here, the neurotransmitter, a chemical messenger in the brain, is essential in sensitization. Overall, these substances allow interaction between neurons and are wholly responsible for elevating the response to the stimulus. As a result, the release and activities of the neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine might contribute to the sensitization effects. 

1.6. Brain Structure Included 

Significantly, sensitization is a form of nondeclarative learning that can occur in specific neural circuits, and the hippocampus, a critical region for memory formation, is involved in processes that are similar to those underlying sensitization.

While the hippocampus is involved in the processing of emotional memories, the statement does not provide a direct link between sensitization and emotions.

In short, these basic concepts give a detailed understanding of sensitization in psychology that sheds light on how repeated experience helps shape individual responsiveness to several stimuli, ultimately impacting their emotional reaction and behavior.

brain structure
Image by Pexels

2. Types of Sensitizations 

Overall, sensitization manifests in many ways. The following are some of the types of sensitizations: 

2.1. Positive Sensitization 

Firstly, this sensitization occurs when an individual becomes more responsive than expected to a particular stimulus, resulting in heightened pleasure or fun upon exposure. This kind of sensitization reflects an enhanced sensitivity to positive and rewarding experiences.

For instance, if an individual listens to music regularly and gets sensitized over time, they experience more joy and emotional resonance. This increased pleasure makes the stimulus more supportive and rewarding, possibly enhancing involvement.

Understanding how an individual builds and reinforces choices for specific activities, objects, or experiences is fundamental. 

2.2. Negative Sensitization

Alternatively, positive sensitization in negative sensitization includes more anxiety, distress, or responses to repeated exposure to a particular stimulus. This kind of sensitization leads to discomfort or emotional stress related to the stimulus.

For instance, people who experience a traumatic incident might become negatively sensitized to some triggers like anxiety and distress responses that can amplify possibly cases of psychological distress or trigger symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

So, learning about negative sensitization is essential for mental health experts and researchers who work with trauma survivors, as it can give insight into the growth and treatment of trauma-associated situations. 

psychology session
Image by Pexels

2.3. Sensory Sensitization 

Next is sensory sensitization, which refers to the intensification of sensory perception or sensation upon repeated exposure to a specific sensory stimulus. So, this kind of sensitization is sometimes relevant to a sensory processing disorder and some conditions like hypersensitivity.

As a result, they might experience more distress in responding to the sensory input that can be tolerable and even pleasurable for another. 

2.4. Emotional Sensitization

Emotional sensitization includes a more emotional response to particular stimuli that is usually related to emotional significance or trauma. Thus, this sensitization is very closely interconnected to the operation of the amygdala, a brain area responsible for emotional processing.

For example, an individual who has many years of experience of distressing breakups can be one of the emotionally sensitized reminders of the previous partner that might lead to more sadness or anger when encountering these kinds of reminders. 

Above all, this situation also plays a vital role in emotional regulation and memory, impacting a person’s emotional reaction in several conditions. 

We interviewed Bayu Prihandito, Founder, Psychology Consultant, and Life Coach for Men, Life Architekture, on alternative therapeutic practices to deal with emotional and professional issues. Here is what he had to say:

Bayu Prihandito - Featured
Bayu Prihandito

“I talked to a colleague recently who included a rage room as part of their recent team-building retreat, and having heard his arguments for doing so, I’m strongly considering integrating this into our next team-building event as well.

Working in talent acquisition, or any industry that requires direct interaction with customers or clients, means you need to have tight emotional control within your workplace. 

Even when customers are upset or lash out, you can’t afford to let yourself respond in kind. It can be very trying and exhausting to hold in frustration or maintain your control on a continuous basis, and having an outlet like a rage room can be an excellent release for all that negativity. 

Having permission to rage can be a very beneficial thing in other situations, too. I’ve started recommending rage rooms to candidates who are engaged in a frustrating job search, for instance, or to people who have recently been laid off or terminated.

In these cases, using a rage room isn’t just about releasing your frustration, though that’s a very useful thing in its own right. 

This also gives you a chance to fully feel and process your emotions about your career, in a safe, judgment-free space.

It’s somewhere you can call your old boss all the bad names you’ve been keeping in your head, or can take a literal sledgehammer to your feelings of imposter syndrome, inadequacy, or anxiety.

By allowing this negativity out instead of holding it in, you give yourself the freedom to face and push through those feelings, which can often be the first step in letting them go so you can move forward with a more positive mindset.”

Lastly, this kind of sensitivity increases memory formation and recovery processes in response to periodic exposure to a stimulus. This is specifically related to the context of learning and memory.

Hence, when a person encounters stimulus frequently, the brain becomes sensitized to it by making it memorable and easy to recall for the future. Memory-related sensitization is a basic procedure that underlies learning and can impact how a person acquires and sustains information.

In summary, understanding human behavior develops therapeutic intervention and addresses several psychological and sensory-related challenges.

person in fear
Image by Uday Mittal on Unsplash

3. Mechanism Involved in Sensitization

3.1. Long-Term Potentiation (LTP)

One of the primary mechanisms underlying sensitization is long-term potentiation (LTP), a procedure in which the synaptic condition between neurons is enlarged. Long-term potentiation occurs when continuous high-intensity stimulation of neurons leads to more responsiveness.

This synaptic plasticity enhances neural pathways related to a sensitized stimulus that makes an individual responsive to it over time.

3.2. Epigenetic Change

Epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation and histone transformations, have been associated with Sensitization. These modifications affect gene expression without altering the DNA sequence.

They play a role in activating genes linked to sensitization. Understanding these mechanisms is critical in comprehending and addressing sensitization without requiring research efforts.

3.3. Contextual Factors

Lastly, contextual factors like the environment in which sensitization occurs also impact the mechanism.

On the whole, the context might influence the strength and continuity of sensitization. For instance, sensitization can be more pronounced when a person encounters a stimulus in an environment related to the real sensitization experience.

4. Factors Impacting Sensitization 

Various factors impact Sensitization. Here are some of the following

4.1. Frequency and Intensity Exposure

So, the frequency and intensity of exposure to stimulation play a vital role in impacting sensitization. In this case, the more constantly an individual is prone to stimulus, especially when the exposure is too much or prolonged, the higher the likelihood of sensitization.

For instance, when an individual is continually subjected to loud noise, it becomes more sensitized, leading to extreme responses with every subsequent exposure. 

4.2. Individual Differences

Secondly, individual factors that include genetic predisposition, previous experiences, and personal vulnerability can quickly impact the likelihood and length of sensitization. 

On the whole, most individuals can be more prone to sensitization. On the other hand, others might have past experiences that make them more vulnerable to sensitization to some stimulus. Overall, these differences contribute to the susceptibility of people to continuous exposure. 

4.3. Context and Environment Factor

Thirdly, the context in which the sensitization shapes development and continuation. Environmental factors like the availability of stressors or social support might facilitate or hinder sensitization. 

For example, a person can become too sensitized to a stimulus in a stressful environment with increased emotional reactivity, which is very common compared to other calm and supportive surroundings.

4.4. Psychological Factor 

What Is Sensitization In Psychology?
Source: Unsplash

In this case, factors like attention, expectations, and anticipation can influence sensitization. Primarily, when a person is too attentive to a stimulus or expects some results, their cognitive process might increase the sensitization effect. 

For instance, if someone predicts pain from a medical process, they can become sensitized to extreme pain, leading to discomfort. 

4.5. Age and Development Stages

The whole age and development stage also impacts sensitization. Children and adolescents might exhibit various sensitization patterns compared to other adults due to the progressing development of neural circuits and cognitive processes.

4.6. Relevance and Emotional Importance 

This relevance and emotional importance of stimulus influences sensitization. In this case, stimuli that are emotionally charged or have some personal importance are more likely to cause sensitization.

So trauma-associated sensitization, for instance, sometimes takes place when the stimulus is emotionally very traumatic.

4.7. Learning and Memory 

In this case, the brain’s ability to encode and recover memories associated with a sensitized stimulus might strengthen the sensitization effects. Over an extended period, the memory of an individual and related extreme reactions becomes integrated. 

5. Sensitization Application in Psychology 

It is widely applied in the field of psychology in understanding human behavior. So, the various types of applications are as follows: 

5.1. Past Trauma and Post Trauma Stress Disorder 

First, sensitization has essential applications in the past and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) treatments. In trauma-associated conditions, sensitization outcomes in more emotional and psychological responses to trauma reminders. 

So, most therapists can use learning to design exposure-based therapies like exposure therapy or eye movement sensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) to decrease sensitization triggers immediately. 

What is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing Therapy?

6. In The End

Sensitization, on the whole, guides in establishing tailored interventions for situations such as trauma, addiction, phobias, and sensory process disorders. It helps illuminate pathways to efficient treatments, empowers education to elevate learning results, and equips people with various tools to explore their emotional responses and behavior more skillfully.

In a universe where individuals are more exposed to an increasing array of stimuli, sensitization serves as an illuminant that helps explore complications of human behavior.

However, it has been associated with negative side effects such as anxiety and phobias to specific triggers. The concept has become important in psychology because it has helped us understand individuals on a wider spectrum.

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

 

 

Last Updated on by Saket Kumar

Author

  • Anjali Raj Singh

    Anjali Raj Singh is a content writer. She is an expert in writing different niches like lifestyles, gaming, fashion, beauty, food, travel etc. She has written several lifestyle related contents for Icy Canada site. Her writing also ranges from lifestyle related contents to helping people deal with day to day and general life issues.

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