In the context of AP Psychology, the concept refers to the minimum level of stimulation needed for a person to detect a stimulus 50% of the time. This detection point is crucial for understanding the limits of human sensory perception. For example, the smallest amount of light a participant can see, the quietest sound they can hear, or the lightest touch they can feel half the time represent their individual limits.
This sensory boundary holds importance because it highlights the subjective nature of experience and the variability in individual sensitivity. Understanding these limits allows researchers to explore how factors such as attention, motivation, and expectations can influence what we perceive. Historically, its measurement has been a cornerstone of psychophysics, informing our understanding of sensation and perception processes.