What happens during dishabituation?

Dishabituation refers to the phenomenon where there is an increased response to a previously habituated stimulus after a distinct change or new stimulus emerges in the environment. When a subject becomes accustomed to a certain stimulus and pays less attention to it over time (habituation), dishabituation occurs when the same or similar stimulus is reintroduced following a period of absence or when a different stimulus captures the subject's attention. This renewed interest reflects an increase in responsiveness to the original stimulus.

For instance, if a person becomes desensitized to a repetitive sound, their attention may wane, leading to decreased responses to it. If that sound is interrupted or changed (for instance, by a loud bang), they may respond again with heightened awareness when the original sound resumes. This response is due to dishabituation, where the interruption or new element resets their sensitivity to the original stimulus.