A controller design strategy for nonlinear systems with moremanipulated inputs than controlledoutputs is proposed. The technique is called "habituatingcontrol" as a result of its similarity tocontrol schemes commonly used in biological systems. Nonlinearcontrol laws that provide input-output linearization while simultaneously minimizing the "cost" ofaffecting control are derived.In the single-output case, the cost function employed differsaccording to the relative degrees ofthe two inputs. Local stability analysis shows that the resultingcontroller can provide a simplesolution to the singularity and nonminimum phase problems. Anextension of the controllerdesign strategy for multiple-output processes also is presented.The proposed method isevaluated using nonlinear models of chemical and biochemical reactionsystems.