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Weber’s law

a mathematical model of the difference threshold stating that the magnitude needed to detect physical change in a stimulus is proportional to the absolute magnitude of that stimulus. Thus, the more intense the stimulus, the greater the change that must be made in it to be noticed. This can be expressed as ΔI/I = k, where ΔI is the difference threshold, I is the original stimulus magnitude, and k is a constant called Weber’s fraction. See also Fechner’s law. [proposed in 1834 by Ernst Heinrich Weber]

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Psychology term of the day

April 19th 2024

brainstem

brainstem

n. the part of the brain that connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. It includes the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata and is involved in the autonomic control of visceral activity, such as salivation, respiration, heartbeat, digestion, and other so called vegetative functions.