In Michigan, an outdoor temperature of 45 degrees feels cold in July but warm in January. This is an example of ________.
A) paradoxical heat
B) adaptation
C) psychophysical scaling
D) Fechner's Law

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is an example of adaptation, which refers to the process by which our sensitivity to stimuli decreases over time as we become accustomed to them. In this case, people in Michigan are accustomed to much colder temperatures in January than in July, so 45 degrees may feel warm relative to January but cold relative to July. The other options do not apply to this situation. Paradoxical heat refers to the experience of feeling hot in very cold temperatures, psychophysical scaling is a method for measuring subjective experience, and Fechner's law relates to the relationship between the physical intensity of a stimulus and its perceived magnitude.

In Michigan, an Outdoor Temperature of 45 Degrees Feels Cold