Adaptation Level Theory

Adaptation Level Theory explains how our perception of stimuli—like noise, brightness, or rewards—shifts based on previous experiences. Essentially, we get used to a certain level of something, so what once seemed extreme becomes normal over time. For example, after moving to a noisy city, everyday sounds feel ordinary, but returning to a quiet place makes silence seem unusual. Our brain constantly adjusts its baseline, influencing how we evaluate new stimuli relative to what we're accustomed to, which affects our satisfaction and reactions.