Doublepoint threshold is the level of sensory stimulation required to detect two points, rather than just one, on the skin. The spelling of this word can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription: /ˈdʌbəl pɔɪnt ˈθrɛʃhəʊld/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound, followed by a voiced "b" and a short "u" again. The second syllable begins with a voiceless "p" and then an "oi" diphthong. The final syllable starts with a voiced "th" and ends with a voiceless "h."
Doublepoint threshold is a term primarily used in psychology and sensory perception to describe the minimum level of stimulation required for a person to perceive two discrete stimuli as separate or distinctive entities. It refers to the point at which an individual can distinguish two points of sensory input, such as two pressure points applied to the skin or two sounds heard simultaneously.
In sensory experiments, researchers typically employ a variety of techniques to determine the doublepoint threshold. These may include using different types of stimuli, such as varying intensities or distances between the stimuli, and assessing individuals' ability to discern between them. The doublepoint threshold is often quantified numerically, representing the exact intensity or distance required for differentiation.
The concept of doublepoint threshold can be applied to various sensory modalities, including touch, hearing, and even vision. For instance, in touch perception, the doublepoint threshold refers to the minimum distance at which two adjacent pressure points on the skin can be perceived as separate stimuli rather than a single sensation. Similarly, in auditory perception, the doublepoint threshold pertains to the minimum intensity or frequency difference necessary for distinguishing between two simultaneously presented sounds.
Understanding the doublepoint threshold is crucial to comprehending how individuals perceive and differentiate sensory inputs. It helps provide insights into the limits of sensory discrimination and the mechanisms underlying perceptual processing.
The least degree of separation of two points applied to the surface which permits of their being felt as two.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.