Compare and contrast the work of Ernst Heinrich Weber and Gustav Fechner. Describe what they have in common, as well as how they are different.

What will be an ideal response?


Both Weber and Fechner were interested in how we perceive changes in stimuli. Weber developed what is known as Weber's law, which states that the just-noticeable difference between two stimuli is related to the magnitude or strength of the stimuli. This explains why an equal change in stimulus (such as adding an additional inch of length) will be perceived in some cases (a piece of pipe that increases from 2 to 3 inches) but not others (an inch of fishing line added to a roll that is hundreds of feet in length). Fechner developed Fechner's law, which says that sensory experiences change at a slower rate than the intensity of the stimulus. This law helped to explain why our perception of increases in stimuli is not always proportionate to the actual increase (a 10-fold increase in brightness is perceived as being only twice as bright).

Psychology

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Anxiety disorders are universally characterized by:

a. Great attention to possible threats. b. Rehearsing ineffective coping strategies. c. Active attempts to avoid worry. d. Disorganized thinking.

Psychology

A common disorder that often accompanies anorexia nervosa is ____

a. bipolar disorder b. schizophrenia c. obsessive-compulsive disorder d. paranoid personality disorder

Psychology

Which of these is typical for individuals who have severe headaches during sex?

a. they are often women with severe anxieties b. they are often somewhat hypertensive, mildly obese men c. the headaches are usually associated with other sexual disorders d. they usually occur just as intercourse begins

Psychology

Teachman and Woody (2003 ) found that spider phobia

a) is associated with agorophobia. b) is associated with social fears. c) is associated with unconscious themes of disgust and threat. d) is associated with heightened introspection and rumination.

Psychology