Sensory Thresholds: Absolute & Difference Thresholds

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A researcher is conducting an experiment to determine the absolute threshold for sound. Which of the following procedures would be MOST appropriate for this purpose?

  • Gradually increasing the volume of a tone until participants can detect it 50% of the time. (correct)
  • Presenting pairs of tones with slightly different frequencies and asking participants to identify which tone is higher.
  • Asking participants to estimate the loudness of various sounds on a scale from 1 to 10.
  • Measuring the brain's response to different sound intensities using EEG.

An individual is participating in a taste test where they are asked to detect the presence of sugar in water. According to the concept of absolute threshold, what is being measured?

  • The point at which the individual can differentiate between two different concentrations of sugar.
  • The smallest concentration of sugar that the individual can detect 50% of the time. (correct)
  • The intensity of sugar that the individual perceives as being 'very sweet'.
  • The individual's subjective preference for different sugar concentrations.

Which scenario BEST exemplifies the concept of the 'just noticeable difference' (JND)?

  • A person immediately noticing that a room has become significantly brighter after several lights are turned on.
  • Someone realizing they can smell perfume in a room after entering from the outside.
  • A wine taster being able to distinguish between a wine aged for 10 years and one aged for 11 years. (correct)
  • A musician being able to identify the exact pitch of a musical note without any reference.

A marketing company wants to increase the volume of their television ads without viewers noticing a significant difference. Based on the concept of the 'just noticeable difference' (JND), what strategy should they employ?

<p>Increase the volume of the ads by increments smaller than the average JND. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Weber's Law states that the just noticeable difference (JND) is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity. What is a valid implication of this law?

<p>The weaker the initial stimulus, the larger the change needed for a JND. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to Weber's Law, if the just noticeable difference (JND) for a 100g weight is 5g, what would be the approximate JND for a 500g weight, assuming the Weber fraction remains constant?

<p>25g (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A perfume manufacturer wants to create a new scent that is subtly different from their existing popular fragrance. How can Weber's Law inform their product development process?

<p>By calculating the just noticeable difference (JND) in scent intensity to create a subtly different fragrance. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An audiologist is testing a patient's hearing. They present a series of tones, some of which are very faint. How does the concept of absolute threshold apply to this scenario?

<p>It represents the minimum intensity at which the patient can detect the tone 50% of the time. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of sensory perception, what is the primary distinction between the 'absolute threshold' and the 'difference threshold' (just noticeable difference)?

<p>Absolute threshold is the minimum detectable stimulus, while difference threshold is the minimum change in a stimulus that can be detected. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A chef is adjusting the seasoning in a soup. Applying the concept of the just noticeable difference (JND), what would be the MOST effective approach to incrementally increase the saltiness without over-salting the soup?

<p>Adding salt in amounts that are proportionally smaller as the soup becomes saltier. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the principle of Weber's Law relate to the design of user interfaces for electronic devices, such as volume controls or brightness settings?

<p>It implies that larger changes are needed at higher levels to achieve the same perceived difference as smaller changes at lower levels. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher aims to determine the absolute threshold for perceiving a specific frequency of light. What methodological challenge is MOST likely to be encountered in this experiment?

<p>Participants' expectations may influence their responses, leading to inaccurate measurements. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A perfumer is creating a new fragrance and wants to ensure that a particular note (e.g., vanilla) is noticeable but not overpowering. How can the concepts of absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) be applied in this scenario?

<p>The absolute threshold determines the minimum amount of vanilla needed for anyone to detect it, while the JND determines how much more vanilla is needed to make it noticeably stronger. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of pain perception, how might individual differences in absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) contribute to varying responses to painful stimuli?

<p>Individuals with a lower absolute threshold for pain will experience pain sooner, while those with a larger JND will require a greater change in stimulus intensity to notice a difference in pain levels. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is studying the effects of aging on auditory perception. How might changes in absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) contribute to age-related hearing loss?

<p>An increased absolute threshold means older adults require louder sounds to hear them, while an increased JND means they need larger changes in sound intensity to notice differences. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A lighting designer is creating an exhibit that uses subtle gradations in light intensity to create a calming atmosphere. How can Weber's law and the concept of the just noticeable difference (JND) inform their design choices?

<p>By using smaller increments in light intensity at lower levels and larger increments at higher levels, the exhibit will create a smooth and gradual transition. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A pharmaceutical company is developing a new pain medication. How could an understanding of absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) inform the design of clinical trials to assess the drug's efficacy?

<p>By measuring the JND for pain reduction, the company can determine the smallest change in pain levels that patients can reliably detect with the medication. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A food scientist is formulating a low-sodium alternative to a popular snack food. How can the concept of the just noticeable difference (JND) guide the process of reducing sodium content while maintaining consumer acceptance?

<p>By reducing the sodium content in increments smaller than the JND, consumers will be less likely to notice the change in taste. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An artist is creating a sculpture that relies on subtle changes in texture to evoke a specific emotion. How can the concept of the just noticeable difference (JND) inform their artistic process?

<p>By using texture changes that are just above the JND, the artist can create subtle variations that evoke the desired emotion without being overwhelming. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A sound engineer is mastering a musical recording. How can an understanding of absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) be applied to optimize the listening experience for a wide range of listeners?

<p>By carefully adjusting the volume levels of individual instruments to be just above the JND, the engineer can create a balanced and nuanced mix that enhances the emotional impact of the music. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An architect is designing a building with a focus on energy efficiency. How could an understanding of absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) be applied to optimize the lighting design and minimize energy consumption?

<p>By carefully adjusting the lighting levels throughout the building to be just above the JND, the architect can create a bright and comfortable environment with minimal energy use. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A user interface (UI) designer is creating a mobile app. How can Weber's law inform the design of volume controls and other adjustable settings in the app?

<p>The designer should make smaller physical changes at lower volume settings and larger changes at higher volume settings, to better match perceived loudness. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'absolute threshold' apply to the field of environmental monitoring and pollution control?

<p>It helps establish the minimum levels of pollutants that can be reliably detected by monitoring equipment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A company is developing a new line of high-end audio equipment. How can an understanding of the 'just noticeable difference' (JND) enhance the design and marketing of these products?

<p>By designing the equipment to reproduce subtle nuances and tonal variations that are just above the JND, the company can create a more immersive and rewarding listening experience. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating the effects of sleep deprivation on sensory perception. How might sleep deprivation affect both the absolute threshold and the just noticeable difference (JND) for various sensory stimuli?

<p>Sleep deprivation will increase the absolute threshold, making people less sensitive to faint stimuli, and it will also increase the JND, making it harder to detect subtle differences. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A security company is developing a new surveillance system that relies on subtle changes in video footage to detect potential threats. How can an understanding of the just noticeable difference (JND) inform the design of this system?

<p>By ensuring that the system is sensitive enough to detect changes that are just above the JND, the company can identify even subtle anomalies that might indicate a potential threat. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A textile manufacturer seeks to create fabrics that are virtually indistinguishable in terms of color. How can understanding the 'just noticeable difference' (JND) guide the manufacturing process to meet this goal?

<p>By manipulating the dye formulations to create fabrics with color differences below the JND, ensuring they appear almost identical. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A quality control engineer in a manufacturing plant needs to calibrate sensors used to detect minute variations in product dimensions. What role does the 'just noticeable difference' (JND) play in this calibration process?

<p>The JND helps set the sensitivity level of the sensors, ensuring they can detect variations that are perceptible to the human eye. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An interior designer seeks to create a space where occupants can work comfortably under natural lighting without experiencing glare or excessive brightness. How can the concepts of the absolute threshold and 'just noticeable difference' (JND) inform their lighting design decisions?

<p>By controlling the amount of natural light to ensure that changes are small enough not to be noticed (below the JND), the designer can minimize glare while maintaining a comfortable work environment. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A marketing team wants to update a company logo but wants to avoid alienating existing customers. How can understanding Weber's Law and the 'just noticeable difference' (JND) inform their redesign strategy?

<p>The team should make gradual and subtle changes to the logo, ensuring that the differences are below the JND to maintain brand recognition. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A cognitive psychologist is studying the effects of aging on sensory perception. They want to assess how age-related changes in the brain may affect the ability to detect and discriminate between different stimuli. Which measures would be most relevant to this investigation?

<p>The absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) for various sensory modalities. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is investigating the neural mechanisms underlying sensory adaptation. They present a continuous stimulus to a participant and measure brain activity over time. What changes in sensory processing would be expected as adaptation occurs?

<p>A decrease in neural activity in the sensory cortex in response to the stimulus. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A researcher is designing an experiment to investigate the effects of attention on sensory perception. Participants are asked to focus their attention on one sensory modality (e.g., vision) while ignoring another (e.g., audition). How might attention modulate the absolute threshold and just noticeable difference (JND) for the attended and unattended sensory modalities?

<p>Attention will decrease the absolute threshold and JND for the attended modality but increase them for the unattended modality. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does Weber's Law explain why it's more difficult to notice a small increase in volume in a loud environment compared to a quiet environment?

<p>The proportional change needed to detect a difference is larger when the initial stimulus intensity is higher. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If the absolute threshold for a certain smell is one drop of perfume in a six-room house, what does this imply about the average person's ability to detect the perfume?

<p>The average person will detect the perfume's presence in the house 50% of the time. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the concept of 'just noticeable difference' (JND) particularly important in the design of medical equipment that delivers medication?

<p>To allow precise adjustments in dosage that are clinically meaningful but avoid inconsequential variations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An individual can reliably detect a 1-gram difference when holding a 100-gram weight. According to Weber's Law, how would the detectable difference change if the initial weight were increased to 1000 grams?

<p>The detectable difference would increase to 10 grams. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of absolute threshold relate to the practical application of noise-canceling technology in headphones?

<p>By reducing ambient sounds below the user's absolute threshold, making them undetectable. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Absolute Threshold

The minimal amount of stimulation needed to detect a stimulus 50% of the time.

Difference Threshold/Just Noticeable Difference (JND)

The smallest difference in intensity between two stimuli that a person can detect.

Weber's Law (Fraction)

The principle that, to be perceived as different, two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage (rather than a constant amount).

Study Notes

  • Sensory thresholds indicate how sensitive our senses are

Absolute Threshold

  • The minimal amount of stimulation that can be detected half of the time
  • It is the lowest intensity that can be detected
  • Occurs when a person can detect a signal 50% of the time
  • Everyone has this for each sense
  • Examples:
    • Vision: being able to see a candle light 30 miles away
    • Audition: hear a watch ticking 20 ft away in a quiet house
    • Smell: one drop of perfume in a six room house
    • Taste: 1 teaspoon of sugar in 2 gallons of water
    • Feel: the wing of a fly falling on our neck from 1cm away

Difference Threshold / Just Noticeable Difference (jnd)

  • The smallest difference in intensity between 2 stimuli that a person can detect
  • Represents the smallest change in intensity that can be detected as a change

Weber's Law (Fraction)

  • For 2 stimuli to be perceived as different in intensity, the second must differ from the first by a constant proportion
  • The difference threshold is not the same for low intensity and high intensity stimuli
  • As stimuli gets more intense the difference threshold gets bigger

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