We can see a candle flame at 30 miles on a clear, dark night, and we can hear the tick of a watch 20 feet away in a quiet room. These two facts are examples of __________

Question

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The ability to see a candle flame at a distance of 30 miles and hear the tick of a watch 20 feet away in a quiet room are examples of absolute thresholds - the minimum amount of stimulation necessary for a person to detect a sensory stimulus at least 50% of the time. Option A (jnds) refers to the just noticeable difference, which is the smallest difference between two stimuli that a person can detect at least 50% of the time. Option B (difference threshold) is another term for just noticeable difference. Option C (adaptation) refers to the process by which our sensory receptors adjust to a constant or unchanging level of stimulation, resulting in a decrease in sensitivity over time.

We Can See a Candle Flame at 30 Miles on a Clear