Habituation and Dishabituation (7C) Practice Test

In a study of attention, participants perform a simple reaction-time task while a faint background tapping sound repeats at a constant rate. Initially, participants frequently glance toward the speaker. After 10 minutes, glances become rare. The experimenter then changes the tapping pattern briefly (same volume, different rhythm) and returns to the original pattern. Participants resume glancing toward the speaker when the original pattern returns. Which explanation is most consistent with habituation and dishabituation processes?

A researcher presents a series of identical mild odors (same concentration) to participants once every 2 minutes and asks them to rate perceived intensity on a 1–10 scale. Ratings decrease across repeated presentations. After a 10-minute break with fresh air, ratings to the same odor increase compared with the last pre-break rating. Which statement is most consistent with the observed change after the break?