In Fechner's law, what does the formula S = k log R represent?

Fechner's law is a fundamental principle in psychophysics that describes the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations they produce. The formula S = k log R captures this relationship succinctly. In this formula, S represents the sensation perceived by an individual, R stands for the physical stimulus intensity, and k is a constant related to the specific sensory modality being considered (often associated with Weber's fraction).

This law implies that sensation increases logarithmically as the physical stimulus intensity increases. Essentially, it posits that each increment of perception corresponds to a multiplicative change in the physical stimulus, rather than a direct additive one. This means that as the stimulus grows, the perceived sensation increases at a diminishing rate.

Understanding that S, R, and k articulate this relationship is crucial. The constant k provides a scaling factor that adjusts the sensitivity of the sensory system being examined. Thus, the correct answer captures the essence of Fechner's law, specifying the components and their roles in depicting how physical stimuli relate to psychological experience.