ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD Meaning and
Definition
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The term "absolute threshold" is a psychological concept that refers to the minimum amount of stimulus energy required for a person to detect a particular stimulus accurately. It is the lowest intensity or level of a stimulus that an individual can detect with at least 50% accuracy. In other words, the absolute threshold represents the boundary between the presence and absence of a stimulus.
The absolute threshold varies depending on the type of stimulation, such as light, sound, taste, or touch, as well as individual factors such as age, health, and sensory abilities. For example, in the case of vision, the absolute threshold is the smallest amount of light energy that can be detected by the human eye in a dark room. Similarly, in terms of hearing, it is the lowest sound level that can be heard by the average human ear.
Psychologists often use experimental procedures to determine absolute thresholds. These procedures involve presenting stimuli with varying intensity levels and asking participants to indicate whether they can detect them. By analyzing the responses, researchers determine the precise level at which the stimulus crosses the threshold of awareness.
Understanding the absolute threshold is essential in the field of psychology as it provides insights into how humans perceive and interact with the environment. It helps to determine the sensitivity and limits of our sensory systems and influences various aspects of perception, such as attention, memory, and decision-making.
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The lowest limit of any perception whatever; distinguished from differential t.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
- zbsolute threshold
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- avsolute threshold
- ansolute threshold
- ahsolute threshold
- agsolute threshold
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- abs0lute threshold
Etymology of ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
The word "absolute" originates from the Latin word "absolutus", which means freed or unrestricted. It is derived from the prefix "ab-" meaning away from and the verb "solvere" meaning to loosen, release, or detach. "Threshold", on the other hand, comes from the Old English word "threscold" or "threscwald", which combines "threscan" (to thresh or beat) and "scield" (shield or boundary). In the context of perception and sensory psychology, the term "absolute threshold" refers to the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected by an organism. The word "absolute" emphasizes the minimal or essential nature of this threshold.
Similar spelling words for ABSOLUTE THRESHOLD
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