The
threshold is the smallest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected half of the time, whereas the
threshold is the smallest change in intensity that can be detected.

Question

The 
 threshold is the smallest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected half of the time, whereas the 
 threshold is the smallest change in intensity that can be detected.

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question presents two blanked terms in a standard psychophysics context.

Restating the prompt to make each blank explicit: 'The ___ threshold is the smallest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected half of the time, whereas the ___ threshold is the smallest change in intensity that can be detected.'

Option analysis:
- 空白1 (first blank): This position corresponds to the concept describing the minimum stimulus intensity that must be present for detection on 50% of trials. In psychophysics, this is known as the absolute threshold, the baseline level of sensation required for detection.
- 空白2 (second blank): This position corresponds to the idea of the smallest detectable change in a stimulus intensity, i.e., the smallest difference that can be noticed between two stimuli. This is the concept of the difference threshold, also called the just-noticeable difference (JND).

Why the first blank should be 'absolute': The defining feature here is a detection criterion at a fixed probability (50%), which aligns with the definition of the absolute threshold. It marks the onset of perceptual awareness for a single stimulus, independent of any comparison with another stimulus.

Why the second blank should be 'difference (or just-noticeable difference)': The phrase describes the smallest change in intensity that a person can detect, which is measured by comparing two stimuli and identifying the minimal detectable difference. This aligns with the standard notion of a difference threshold or JND.

Common misconceptions to avoid: If one confusingly uses terms like 'perceived intensity' or 'detection level' interchangeably, it can blur the distinction between a baseline detection threshold (absolute) and a change-detection threshold (difference/JND). Remember that the absolute threshold is about detecting a single stimulus, while the difference threshold is about detecting a change between stimuli.

In summary, the first blank aligns with the absolute threshold, and the second blank aligns with the difference threshold (or just-noticeable difference).

The threshold is the smallest intensity of a stimulus that can be detected half of the time, whereas the threshold is the smallest change in intensity that can be detected.

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