Forskjellsterskelen

Forskjellsterskelen, or the difference threshold, is a concept in psychophysics that refers to the minimum difference between two stimuli that a person can detect half of the time. It is also known as the just-noticeable difference (JND). For example, if you are holding a weight of 100 grams, the difference threshold would be the smallest additional weight you would need to add for you to notice that it feels heavier.

This threshold is not a fixed value but varies depending on the intensity of the original stimulus. This relationship is described by Weber's Law, which states that the difference threshold is a constant proportion of the original stimulus intensity. For instance, if it takes 10 grams to notice a difference when holding 100 grams, it might take 100 grams to notice a difference when holding 1000 grams.

The concept of forskjellsterskelen is important in understanding human perception and has applications in various fields, including marketing, product design, and ergonomics. It helps determine how noticeable changes are, whether it's a slight alteration in a product's packaging or a minor change in the volume of a sound. Understanding these perceptual limits allows for effective design and communication strategies.