How does Stevens' Power law describe the relationship between intensity and sensation?

How does Stevens' Power law describe the relationship between intensity and sensation?

• A. It is linearly proportional
• B. There is an exponential relationship
• C. It is inversely proportional
• D. It remains constant

Answer: (B)

Stevens' Power Law addresses the relationship between the magnitude of a stimulus and the perceived intensity of that stimulus. Specifically, it suggests that the perceived intensity (or sensation) is related to the physical intensity of the stimulus raised to a power. This means that the relationship is not linear; instead, it can be described as exponential, depending on the type of sensation being measured. For instance, when a stimulus's physical intensity is increased, the perceived intensity does not increase at the same rate. Instead, the increase in perceived intensity is proportional to the stimulus intensity raised to a specific exponent. This results in a curved relationship, which is indicative of an exponential scale rather than a straightforward linear relationship. The power law implies that as the stimulus intensity increases, the perceived intensity increases, but not in a straight-line manner—hence, the sensation grows at a rate that depends on the original strength of the stimulus. This concept is fundamental in psychophysics, where understanding how humans perceive changes in stimuli is crucial.

Stevens' Power Law addresses the relationship between the magnitude of a stimulus and the perceived intensity of that stimulus. Specifically, it suggests that the perceived intensity (or sensation) is related to the physical intensity of the stimulus raised to a power. This means that the relationship is not linear; instead, it can be described as exponential, depending on the type of sensation being measured.

For instance, when a stimulus's physical intensity is increased, the perceived intensity does not increase at the same rate. Instead, the increase in perceived intensity is proportional to the stimulus intensity raised to a specific exponent. This results in a curved relationship, which is indicative of an exponential scale rather than a straightforward linear relationship.

The power law implies that as the stimulus intensity increases, the perceived intensity increases, but not in a straight-line manner—hence, the sensation grows at a rate that depends on the original strength of the stimulus. This concept is fundamental in psychophysics, where understanding how humans perceive changes in stimuli is crucial.