Encyclopedia of Psychology | Absolute Threshold

The minimal amount of energy necessary to stimulate the sensory receptors.

The method of testing for the absolute threshold is similar for different sensory systems. Thus, the tester can briefly present a light or a sound (or any other kind of stimulus) at different, low intensities until the observer is unable to detect the presence of the stimulus. In such a task, the person may undergo thousands of trials before the researcher can determine the threshold.

While the absolute threshold is a useful concept, it does not exist in reality. That is, on one occasion, an individual might be unable to detect a certain faint light

EXAMPLES OF ABSOLUTE THRESHOLDS
Sense	Example of threshold
Vision	The amount of light present if someone held up a...