habituation

 
Pronunciation: /həbɪtʃʊˈeɪʃ(ə)n, həbɪtjʊ-/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the action or process of becoming habituated: the training of the horse does not depend on force but on habituation
  • Psychology the diminishing of an innate response to a frequently repeated stimulus: habituation was leading to a marked drop in arousal level in these subjects

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'formation of habit'): from French or from Latin habitatio(n)-, from late Latin habituare (see habituate)