Final answer:
Our perception of stimuli is influenced by their environmental surroundings. The absolute threshold is the minimum stimulus energy detectable 50% of the time, while the just noticeable difference is the smallest change in a stimulus we can notice, dependent on context.
Step-by-step explanation:
Context effects illustrate that our perception of particular stimuli is influenced by the environmental surroundings of those stimuli. The correct answer is d) environmental surroundings. Perception involves the organization, interpretation, and conscious experience of sensations, and our perceptions are significantly affected by our beliefs, values, culture, life experiences, and, notably, by the environmental context in which we encounter sensory stimuli. Ernst Weber's principle, known as Weber's law, showcases how the difference threshold, or just noticeable difference (jnd), is dependent on the context, highlighting that the sensitivity to notice changes in stimuli varies with different environmental conditions.
The absolute threshold refers to the minimum amount of stimulus energy required to be detected 50% of the time. For example, under optimal conditions, we might detect a candle flame 30 miles away on a clear night, showcasing the acute sensitivity of our sensory receptors.
The just noticeable difference (jnd), also known as the difference threshold, is the minimal change in a stimulus that can be reliably detected. This perception can change depending on the intensity of the stimulus and the environmental context, as demonstrated in the cell phone light in a dark theater versus a brightly lit basketball arena scenario.