Question

the creaking of an old hotel initially irritates a businessman and keeps him from sleeping; however, due to _______________, each night it bothers him less and less until finally he does not notice the creaking sound at all.

Explanation:

The scenario describes a person becoming less responsive to a repeated stimulus (the creaking sound) over time, which is a key concept in Psychology known as sensory adaptation. Sensory adaptation refers to the decrease in sensitivity to a constant or repeated stimulus, so this process explains why the businessman is bothered less by the creaking each night until he doesn't notice it.

Answer:

sensory adaptation