What does an increase in jnd indicate about stimulus intensity?

An increase in the just noticeable difference (jnd) indicates that larger changes in stimulus intensity are necessary for detection at higher intensity levels. This phenomenon is often explained by Weber's Law, which states that the ratio of the increment threshold to the background intensity is constant. As the baseline intensity increases, the amount of change required to notice a difference also increases, leading to a higher jnd.

This concept highlights how human perception of stimuli does not operate linearly; as stimuli become more intense, our ability to perceive differences also requires proportionally greater changes. Thus, a higher jnd at increased stimulus intensity represents the threshold for detecting changes has shifted, necessitating a more substantial alteration to realize a difference. Understanding this principle is fundamental in fields engaged with sensory perception, such as psychology, as it reflects the complexities of human sensory processing.