Stevens law

a psychophysical relationship stating that the psychological magnitude of a sensation is proportional to a power of the stimulus producing it. This can be expressed as Ψ = ksⁿ, where Ψ is the sensation, k is a constant of proportionality, s is the stimulus magnitude, and n is a function of the particular stimulus. Also called Stevens power law. See also Fechner’s law; Weber’s law. [Stanley Smith Stevens]

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Psychology term of the day

March 10th 2025

Schröder staircase

an ambiguous figure of a staircase, which can be perceived as seen either from above or from underneath the stairs, depending on the perspective of the observer. It is often confused with the staircase illusion. [Heinrich Schröder (1810–1885), German bacteriologist and educator]