What distinguishes the absolute threshold from the difference threshold?

The correct answer highlights a fundamental distinction between the absolute threshold and the difference threshold in the context of sensory perception. The absolute threshold refers to the minimum intensity of a stimulus that an individual can detect 50% of the time. In other words, it is the lowest level of stimulus energy necessary for an individual to become aware of its presence. This could involve, for example, the faintest light a person can see or the softest sound they can hear.

On the other hand, the difference threshold, also known as the just noticeable difference (JND), pertains to the minimum amount of change in stimulus intensity that can be detected. It measures the smallest difference that can be perceived between two stimuli, rather than the detection of a stimulus itself. This threshold is essential for understanding how we perceive variations in sensations, such as distinguishing between two different weights or two shades of color.

This distinction is important in psychological studies of perception, as they explore how individuals experience the world around them in terms of both detecting stimuli and discerning changes in those stimuli.