Question

you either are experiencing a sensation or you are not. you hear something or you dont, etc....

the smallest amount of stimulus energy necessary for sensation to take place 50 percent of the time is called the ......

○ absolute threshold

○ signal detection theory

○ sensitivity

Explanation:

To solve this, we analyze each option:

• "absolute threshold" is defined as the smallest stimulus energy needed for sensation to occur 50% of the time, matching the question's description.
• "signal detection theory" focuses on decision - making in detecting signals, not the minimum stimulus energy for sensation.
• "sensitivity" is a more general term and not the specific concept for the minimum stimulus energy for sensation 50% of the time.

Answer:

A. absolute threshold