Absolute threshold

Absolute threshold is a term used in psychology and neuroscience to describe the smallest level of energy required by an external stimulus to be detectable by the human senses. This includes our five primary senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell. The absolute threshold can vary depending on the individual and the type of stimulus.

Definition

The absolute threshold is defined as the minimum intensity of a stimulus that is required to be detected 50% of the time. This concept was first introduced by Gustav Fechner, a German psychologist, in the 19th century. Fechner's work in psychophysics has been influential in the development of the concept of the absolute threshold.

Factors Influencing Absolute Threshold

Several factors can influence the absolute threshold. These include the individual's physiological state, the environment, and the type of stimulus. For example, an individual's ability to detect a stimulus can be affected by their level of fatigue, their emotional state, or their level of focus. Environmental factors such as background noise or distractions can also affect the absolute threshold.

Absolute Threshold in Different Senses

Each of the five senses has a different absolute threshold. For example, the absolute threshold for sight is a candle flame seen at 30 miles on a clear, dark night. For hearing, it's the tick of a watch under quiet conditions at 20 feet. For taste, it's one teaspoon of sugar in two gallons of water. For smell, it's one drop of perfume diffused throughout a three-room apartment. For touch, it's the wing of a bee falling on your cheek from a height of one centimeter.

Applications

Understanding the concept of the absolute threshold has important applications in various fields such as marketing, ergonomics, and environmental design. For example, marketers might use this concept to determine the minimum level of stimulus required to get a consumer's attention. Similarly, in ergonomics, understanding the absolute threshold can help in designing products that are more user-friendly.

See Also

• Difference threshold
• Sensory threshold
• Signal detection theory
• Psychophysics