Final answer:
Gustav Theodor Fechner coined the term psychophysics in 1860, which began the formal study of the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they provoke.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term psychophysics was coined by Gustav Theodor Fechner in the 1860s. More specifically, Fechner introduced the term in 1860, marking the beginning of an important era in psychology and the study of the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they affect. Psychophysics fundamentally explores how we perceive the intensity of physical stimuli, such as light, sound, and touch, and how this is related to the physical intuition that underpins our understanding of the physical world.
Fechner's work laid the groundwork for experimental psychology and was part of a larger movement in 19th-century science to quantify and understand human experiences and perceptions. The field of psychophysics continues to be an important area of research within psychology and neuroscience, influencing the development of multiple theories of perception.