Stimuli bombard the individual's mind throughout the day and the mind translates information into knowledge in a seemingly effortless way. Multiple human sensory inputs compete simultaneously for an individual's attention (Matlin, 1998). The process used by humans to collect and interpret stimuli recorded by their senses incorporates prior knowledge, attention, and pattern recognition (Robinson & Robinson, 2008). The concept of orienting response (OR) and habituation allows an analysis of habituation and perceptual learning factors. An examination of other effects of stimulus exposure further facilitates understanding of perceptual learning. Finally, an exploration of how therapists can use simple stimuli in the treatment of phobias strengthens knowledge of simple stimuli. Although the process may occur unnoticed by the individual, repetitions of stimuli can reduce or increase the individual's perception of the stimuli by decreasing the need for perceptual attention and decreasing response time. Guiding the response Stimuli and the response to stimuli are the basis for gathering information. Living things use their senses to accommodate, organize, make sense of, and respond to stimuli around them. OR is a reaction to a new or surprising stimulus. It can be as simple as an investigative glance in the direction of a noise or as dramatic as a flight. Both types of physiological and behavioral responses occur, including a startle, an eye twitch, or other displays of arousal dictated by the novelty, intensity, and situation surrounding the stimulus. The novel or intense stimulus produces a dramatic OR (Terry, 2009). Habituation When an individual repeatedly experiences the same stimulus, the stimulus is less and...... middle of paper ......ology: applying the science of mind (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon. Rothbaum, B., Hodges, L., Watson, B., Kassler, G., and Opdyke, D. Virtual reality exposure therapy in the treatment of fear of flying: a case report. Well. Res. There. 34, 5-6 (May/June 1996), 477–481. Spiering, B., & Ashby, F. (2008). Initial training with difficult items facilitates information integration, but not rule-based category learning. Psychological Sciences, 19(11), 1169-1177. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02219.xStrickland, D., Hodges, L., North, M. & Weghorst, S. (1997, August). Overcoming phobias through virtual exposure. Communications of the ACM, 40(8), 34-39. Retrieved from http://dl.acm.org.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/citation.cfm?id=257881Terry, W.S. (2009). Learning and memory: Basic principles, processes, and procedures (4th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn Bacon.