Differ

Definition

When it comes to perception, the principle of differ states that two stimuli must differ by a constant minimum percentage rather than a constant amount in order for us to perceive them as different. This means that our ability to differentiate between two stimuli is based on the relative difference between them rather than their absolute difference.

Related terms

Weber's Law: This law states that the just noticeable difference (JND) between two stimuli is proportional to the magnitude of the stimuli. In simpler terms, it means that larger or more intense stimuli require larger differences to be perceived as different.

Sensory Adaptation:

Sensory adaptation refers to our diminishing sensitivity towards constant or unchanging stimuli over time. It explains why we become less aware of things like background noise or temperature after being exposed to them for an extended period.

Absolute Threshold:

The absolute threshold represents the lowest intensity level at which we can detect a stimulus half of the time. It refers to the minimum amount of stimulation needed for us to be aware of its presence.