Question

Which of the following statements is TRUE about absolute thresholds?

a. They refer to the smallest amount of change between two stimuli that a person can detect half of the time.
b. They are also referred to as just noticeable differences (JND).
c. They require a change of at least 5 percent between the original stimulus and the final stimulus in order to be detected.
d. They change depending on the cost of making an error, motivation, and personality

Answer 1

The true statement about absolute thresholds is that they refer to the minimum amount of stimulus energy required for detection 50% of the time, which corresponds to option a. The absolute threshold concept is distinct from the just noticeable difference (JND).

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about absolute thresholds is that they refer to the minimum amount of stimulus energy required to be detected 50% of the time. Therefore, the answer to the student's question is option a. absolute threshold. Absolute thresholds differ from the concept of the just noticeable difference (JND), or difference threshold, which describes the smallest amount of change in stimulus intensity required for a person to detect that change.

While Weber's law describes the relationship between the initial stimulus intensity and the JND, it does not dictate that a change of at least 5 percent is required for detection; rather, it's a relative proportion or fraction. The assertion that absolute thresholds change based on personal factors such as costs of an error, motivation, and personality is a reference to signal detection theory, but it does not accurately describe absolute thresholds.