US High School Psychology Practice Exam

Which of the following concepts describes the smallest difference in stimulation that can be detected?

1. Relative threshold

2. Absolute threshold

3. Difference threshold

4. Signal detection theory

The correct answer is: Difference threshold

The concept that describes the smallest difference in stimulation that can be detected is known as the difference threshold. This term refers to the minimum level of change in a stimulus that a person can perceive, often identified as just noticeable difference (JND). It emphasizes the capacity of our sensory systems to detect variations in stimulus intensity or quality. For example, if you have a light that is shining at a certain brightness, the difference threshold would represent the smallest increase in brightness that can be perceived by the average person. This concept is crucial for understanding sensory perception in psychology as it illustrates how we interact with our environment and how our senses help us discern subtle changes. The notion of relative threshold typically pertains to how changes in a stimulus relate to the original stimulus level but is not specifically about the smallest detectible change. Absolute threshold refers to the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected, but it does not address the detection of differences in intensity. Signal detection theory deals with how we discern between signal and noise in various contexts and does not focus specifically on the threshold concept. Thus, the difference threshold stands out as the correct answer in this context.