ABSOLUTE TRESHOLD AND DIFFERENTIAL TRESHOLD

Introduction
Sensation varies among individuals’ senses and the strength and features of the
stimuli they notice and take in. Absolute threshold refers to the minimum amount
of stimulus or sensory input that is required for an individual to detect a particular
stimulus. This is the point at which a person can detect a difference between
“something” and “nothing”. Whereas, the differential threshold, or just-noticeable
difference, is the smallest change in stimulus intensity that a person can detect. It is
the minimal difference in stimulation required for a person to perceive those two
stimuli are different from each other.

Absolute Threshold
The absolute threshold is the minimum level of stimulus intensity needed for an
individual to detect a particular stimulus. This concept is crucial in understanding
the limits of human sensory perception. The absolute threshold can vary among
individuals and across different sensory modalities, such as vision, hearing, taste,
and touch.
Sensory Adaptation
We experience sensory adaptation getting used to certain sensations. That is
becoming accommodated to a certain level of stimulation and becoming less able
to notice a particular stimulus. Example is getting used to a hot bath or getting used
to bright sun.
Sensory Adaptation and Advertising
Sensory adaptation is a problem that concerns many national advertisements,
which is why they try to change their advertisements regularly. They are concerned
that the consumers will get used to their current version of advertisements and stop
seeing or noticing them.
Differential Threshold
The minimal difference that can be detected between two similar stimuli is called
the differential threshold or just noticeable difference (JND).
Weber’s Law
German scientist Ernst Weber discovered that the JND between two stimuli was
not an absolute amount but rather an amount relative to the intensity of the first
stimulus.
The stronger the initial stimulus, the greater the additional intensity needed for
the second stimulus to be perceived as different.
Weber’s law has important applications in marketing especially in the areas of
product pricing and improvements, and logos and packaging.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the concepts of absolute threshold and differential threshold play
crucial roles in helping marketers understand the limits of human sensory
perception. The absolute threshold represents the minimum stimulus intensity
required for detection, varying across individuals and sensory modalities. On the
other hand, the differential threshold, or just-noticeable difference (JND), is the
smallest perceptible change in stimulus intensity and follows Weber's Law, stating
it is a constant proportion of the original stimulus.

References
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/absolute-threshold-vs-differential-amar-patel

https://premedplug.com/absolute-threshold-vs-difference-threshold/