Limen
Encyclopedia
In physiology
, psychology
, or psychophysics
, a limen or a liminal point is a threshold
of a physiological or psychological response.
Liminal, as an adjective, means situated at a sensory threshold, hence barely perceptible.
The absolute threshold
is the lowest amount of sensation detectable by a sense organ.
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
, psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
, or psychophysics
Psychophysics
Psychophysics quantitatively investigates the relationship between physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they effect. Psychophysics has been described as "the scientific study of the relation between stimulus and sensation" or, more completely, as "the analysis of perceptual...
, a limen or a liminal point is a threshold
Sensory threshold
Sensory threshold is a theoretical concept used in psychophysics. A stimulus that is less intense than the sensory threshold will not elicit any sensation...
of a physiological or psychological response.
Liminal, as an adjective, means situated at a sensory threshold, hence barely perceptible.
The absolute threshold
Absolute threshold
In neuroscience and psychophysics, an absolute threshold is the smallest detectable level of a stimulus. However, at this low level, subjects will sometimes detect the stimulus and at other times not. Therefore, an alternative definition of absolute threshold is the lowest intensity at which a...
is the lowest amount of sensation detectable by a sense organ.