There is a short in the light in Holden's office, so it makes a soft but constant high-pitched sound. Maintenance workers have not been able to fix the problem. When Travis walks into Holden's office, he says, "How can you stand that awful noise?" Holden spends a moment listening, then says, "I don't even hear it anymore." Holden has been exposed to the sound so long that he has experienced
A) an absolute threshold.
B) sensory adaptation.
C) a difference threshold.
D) synasthesia.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Holden has undergone sensory adaptation, which means that his sensory receptors have become less sensitive to the constant high-pitched sound. As a result, he no longer notices the sound in his office. Option A, absolute threshold, refers to the minimum intensity needed to detect a stimulus. Option C, difference threshold, is the minimum amount of difference between two stimuli that a person can detect. Option D, synesthesia, is a phenomenon where stimulation of one sense leads to automatic and involuntary experiences in another sense. None of these options accurately describe Holden's situation.

There Is a Short in the Light in Holden's Office