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{{ExpPsy}}
 
{{ExpPsy}}
'''Sensory threshold''' is a theoretical concept used in [[psychophysics]]. A [[stimulus (physiology)|stimulus]] that is less intense than the sensory threshold will not elicit any sensation. Whilst the concept can be applied to all senses, it is most commonly applied to the detection and perception of flavours and aromas. Several different sensory thresholds have been defined;
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'''Sensory threshold''' is a theoretical concept used in [[psychophysics]]. A [[stimulus (physiology)|stimulus]] that is less intense than the sensory threshold will not elicit any sensation.
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Several different sensory thresholds have been defined;
 
*'''[[Absolute threshold]]:''' the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
 
*'''[[Absolute threshold]]:''' the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
*'''Recognition threshold:''' the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
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*'''[[Recognition threshold]]:''' the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
*'''[[Just noticeable difference|Differential threshold''' the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
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*'''[[Just noticeable difference|Differential threshold]]''' the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
*'''Terminal threshold:''' the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.
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*'''[[Terminal threshold]]:''' the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.
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The concept can be applied to all senses as in:
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==[[Auditory thresholds]]==
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*'''[[Auditory absolute threshold]]:''' the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
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*'''[[Auditory recognition threshold]]:''' the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
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*'''[[Auditory just noticeable difference|Differential threshold]]''' the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
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*'''[[Auditory terminal threshold]]:''' the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.
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==[[Olfactory thresholds]]==
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*'''[[Olfactory absolute threshold]]:''' the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
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*'''[[Olfactory recognition threshold]]:''' the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
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*'''[[Olfactory just noticeable difference|Differential threshold]]''' the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
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*'''[[Olfactory terminal threshold]]:''' the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.
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==[[Vibrotactile thresholds]]==
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*'''[[Vibrotactile absolute threshold]]:''' the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
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*'''[[Vibrotactile recognition threshold]]:''' the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
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*'''[[Vibrotactile just noticeable difference|Differential threshold]]''' the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
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*'''[[Vibrotactile terminal threshold]]:''' the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.
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==[[Visual thresholds]]==
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*'''[[Visual absolute threshold]]:''' the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
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*'''[[Visual recognition threshold]]:''' the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
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*'''[[Visual just noticeable difference|Differential threshold]]''' the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
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*'''[[Visual terminal threshold]]:''' the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.
   
 
==In aviation==
 
==In aviation==
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==See also==
 
==See also==
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*[[Dark adaptation threshold]]
 
*[[Detection theory]]
 
*[[Detection theory]]
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*[[Critical flicker fusion threshold]]
 
*[[Odor detection threshold]]
 
*[[Odor detection threshold]]
 
*[[Perception]]
 
*[[Perception]]
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*[[Psychophysics]]
 
*[[Psychophysics]]
 
*[[Sensory analysis]]
 
*[[Sensory analysis]]
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*[[Threshold detection]]
   
 
[[Category:Perceptual measures]]
 
[[Category:Perceptual measures]]
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[[Category:Sensory thresholds]]
 
   
   

Latest revision as of 12:40, 22 October 2011

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Sensory threshold is a theoretical concept used in psychophysics. A stimulus that is less intense than the sensory threshold will not elicit any sensation.


Several different sensory thresholds have been defined;


The concept can be applied to all senses as in:

Auditory thresholds

  • Auditory absolute threshold: the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
  • Auditory recognition threshold: the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
  • Differential threshold the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
  • Auditory terminal threshold: the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.

Olfactory thresholds

  • Olfactory absolute threshold: the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
  • Olfactory recognition threshold: the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
  • Differential threshold the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
  • Olfactory terminal threshold: the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.

Vibrotactile thresholds

  • Vibrotactile absolute threshold: the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
  • Vibrotactile recognition threshold: the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
  • Differential threshold the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
  • Vibrotactile terminal threshold: the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.

Visual thresholds

  • Visual absolute threshold: the lowest level at which a stimulus can be detected.
  • Visual recognition threshold: the level at which a stimulus can not only be detected but also recognised.
  • Differential threshold the level at which an increase in a detected stimulus can be perceived.
  • Visual terminal threshold: the level beyond which a stimulus is no longer detected.

In aviation

Aviation use. When related to motion in any of the possible six degrees of freedom (6-DoF), the fact that sensory thresholds exist is why it is essential that aircraft have blind-flying instruments. Sustained flight in cloud is not possible by `seat-of-the-pants' cues alone since errors build up due to aircraft movements below the pilot's sensory threshold, ultimately leading to loss of control.

  • In flight simulators with motion platforms, the motion sensory thresholds are utilised in the technique known as `acceleration-onset cueing'. This is where a motion platform, having made the initial acceleration that is sensed by the simulator crew, the platform is re-set to approximately its neutral position by being moved at a rate below the sensory threshold and is then ready to respond to the next acceleration demanded by the simulator computer.

See also


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