Psychology MCAT Practice Exam

What does Weber's Law state about just noticeable differences?

1. They are independent of the original stimulus

2. They are proportional to the original stimulus value

3. They are constant across different stimuli

4. They depend solely on individual perception

The correct answer is: They are proportional to the original stimulus value

Weber's Law articulates the relationship between the magnitude of a stimulus and the ability to perceive differences in that stimulus. Specifically, it states that the just noticeable difference (JND) is proportional to the original stimulus value. This means that if you have a stronger stimulus, a greater change in that stimulus is required for it to be perceived as different. For example, if you have a light that is very bright, it will take a larger increase in light intensity to notice a difference compared to if the light is dim. The proportionality factor indicates that the ratio of the change needed to the original stimulus remains constant across different levels of the stimulus. This principle captures the essence of how sensory perception operates, highlighting that the perception of change is relative rather than absolute. This understanding aligns closely with real-world experiences, where our sensitivity to changes in stimuli varies depending on the initial conditions of those stimuli.