Absolute Threshold

The Absolute Threshold is the point where something becomes noticeable to our senses. It is the softest sound we can hear or the slightest touch we can feel. Anything less than this goes unnoticed. The absolute threshold is therefore the point at which a stimuli goes from undetectable to detectable to our senses. An absolute threshold is the smallest detectable leave of a stimulus for example in an experiment on sound detention; researchers may present a sound with varying leaves of volume. The smallest leave that a participant is able to hear is the absolute threshold. The absolute threshold is the minimum leave of stimulus intensity needed for a stimulus to be perceived. In other words, the absolute threshold is the amount of intensity needed for a person to detect a difference between something and nothing suppose you are driving on the highway and a billboard is in the distance. The absolute threshold is that point at which you can first see the billboard before that point the billboard is below the absolute threshold and not sufficiently intense to be seen. To illustrate the distance at which a drive can note a specific billboard on a highways that individual; s absolute threshold two people riding together may first spot the billboard at different times (I.e., at different distances): thus they appear to have different absolute threshold . Sensory adaptation is a problem that concerns many national advertisers which is why they try to change their advertising campaigns regularly they are concerned that consumers them ; that is the ads will no longer provide sufficient sensory input to be noted. In an effort to cut through the advertising clutter and ensure that consumers note In an effort marketers try to increase sensory input for example apple computer once bought all the advertising space in an issue of Newsweek magazine to ensure that readers would note its ads from time to time various advertisers have taken all of the bus cards on certain bus routes to advertise their products ensuring that wherever a ride sits he or she will be exposed to the ad other advertisers try to attract attention by decreasing sensory input for example some print ads include a lot of empty space in oder to accentuate the brand name or product illustration and some TV ads use silence the absence of audio sound to generate attention. Difference Threshold The difference threshold also known as the just noticeable difference (ind) is the minimum difference in stimulation that a person can detect we experience the difference threshold as a just noticeable difference for example lets say I asked you to put your hand out and in it I placed a pile of sand then I add tiny amounts of sand to your hand and ask you to tell me when you notice any change in the overall weight As soon as you can detect any change in the weight that difference between the weight of the sand before I added that last bit sand and the amount of sand after I added it is the difference threshold. The minimal difference that can be detected between two similar stimuli is called the difference threshold or the just noticeable difference the j.n.d ) A nineteenth century german scientist named Ernst weber discovered that the j.n.d between two stimuli was not an absolute amount but an amount relative to the intensity of the first stimulus weber law as it has come to be known states that the stronger the initial stimulus the greater the additional intensity needed for the second stimulus to be pereeived as difference

Marketing example

The idea of a just noticeable difference is important in many areas for example how much salt sugar etc would a manufacturer need to add to or take away from existing amounts before the consumer would be aware of the difference ? How munch langer must a newspaper advertisement be before the reader is aware how loud must the music be before the audience reacts how munch more essence in a perfume before a change in smell is detected more difficult to measure but just as important are questions about price increases reduction in quantity levels of customer service and so on rather than increase the price some manufacturers of things like chocolate bars would rather slowly reduce quantity hoping nobody will notice the secret is to try to say within the weber law of JND otherwise consumer dissatisfaction will follow. How do marketers apply the concept of differential threshold or just noticeable diffrence in their marketing strategy ? Explan giving suitable examples. The concept of difference threshold is applied to almost all aspects of marketing strategies. 1.Productline Extension This concept is applied to the advertising/ promotion of the productline in order to exploit the strength of the original brand. 2.Distribution channela The marketers apply the concept of difference threshold in the selection of the distribution channels for the various products from the same family product group. 3.Product pricing The marketers apply the concept of differential threshold in the pricing of the two brands from the same company like two toothpaste brands from one compant. 4.Product promotions

The marketers apply the concept of differential threshold in the Development/ Implementation of the sales promotion programs in two channels to maintain similarity/ cost down. 5.Product Packaging The marketers apply the concept of differential threshold in the packaging of the various models of the company products/to create uniform image. 6.Product Perception/Image The marketers apply the concept of differential threshold in the product positioning these five categories are usually described as follows: 1. Extraversion: This trait includes characteristics such as excitability, sociability, talkativeness, assertiveness and high amounts of emotional expressiveness.

2. Agreeableness: This personality dimension includes attributes such as trust, altruism, kindness, affection, and other prosocial behaviors.

3. Conscientiousness: Common features of this dimension include high levels of thoughtfulness, with good impulse control and goal-directed behaviors. Those high in conscientiousness tend to be organized and mindful of details.

4. Neuroticism: Individuals high in this trait tend to experience emotional instability, anxiety, moodiness, irritability, and sadness.

5. Openness: This trait features characteristics such as imagination and insight, and those high in this trait also tend to have a broad range of interests. http://psychology.about.com/od/personalitydevelopment/a/bigfive.htm