JAN 25, 2019

What is a Supernormal Stimulus?

WRITTEN BY: Nouran Amin

So, what exactly is a supernormal stimulus and how dangerous can it be? In the simplest way to put it, supernormal stimulus or superstimulus is known as the exaggerated version of a stimulus that causes us to pay great attention to which there is an existing response tendency. Some scientists believe that evolution has made us develop such exaggerated responses for our own protection ad survival. The idea explains that elicited behaviors originated for the "normal" stimuli of our ancestor's natural environment. However, these behaviors were altered by a supernormal stimulus. Watch the video above to learn more!