TWO-POINT THRESHOLD

Experiment Number - 6
Date of experiment - 31/10/23
Experimenter - SR
Subject - SM
Introduction:
According to Guilford, "Psychophysics has been regarded as the science that investigates the
quantitative relationships between physical events and corresponding psychological events." The
problems of psychophysics usually centre around the threshold. A threshold is a statistically
determined point at which a stimulus is adequate to elicit a specific organismic response. There
are three types of thresholds:
1. Stimulus Threshold
2. Difference Threshold
3. Terminal Threshold.
The Stimulus threshold is also known as the absolute threshold or the Reiz limen. Underwood
defines it as "the minimal physical stimulus value which will produce a response fifty per cent of
the time." The method of Constant Stimulus Differences, also known as the Frequency method
or constant method, can be used to measure thresholds. Here the stimuli are not presented in
ascending or descending order of magnitude but rather in random order.
The Two-point Threshold is the minimum distance required between two points, for the subject
to perceive it as 2 points in 50 per cent of the trials and as one point in the other 50 percent of the
trials. The accuracy of the observer's response will depend on the area of the body stimulated.

Representative Values of the Two-Point Threshold -

Area mm Area mm

Tip of the tongue 1 Back of Cheekbone 23

Finger tip 2 Back of Hand 31
Lips 5 Knee 36
 Middle of Finger 7 Forearm, Lower Leg 40
Thumb 9 Back of Foot, Neck, Chest 54
Cheek 11 Middle of the back arm, leg 68

Problem: To determine the subject’s two-point threshold, on the left ventral forearm, using the
method of constant stimulus differences.

Hypothesis: Subjects vary in their cutaneous sensitivity, as represented by their two-point

threshold.

Variables:
Independent Variable - Distance between the 2 points of the aesthesiometer.

Dependent Variable - Subject’s perception of two points.

Materials:
1. Two Point aesthesiometer
2. Blind goggles/blindfold
3. Writing Materials

Plan:
A series of stimuli, ranging between 30mm and 50mm, and increasing by 2mm, is presented in
random order. 5 trials of each distance are presented, and the subject's responses are recorded.
The absolute threshold is obtained by drawing a C-P graph.

Controls:
1. Subject should be blindfolded.
2. The two points of the aesthesiometer should be presented with equal and steady pressure.
3. Check trials, with one point should be presented, occasionally, which should not be
recorded.
4. Rub the area periodically to avoid the sensation.
Procedure:
Seat the subject comfortably and instruct the subject that his/her ventral forearm will be touched
with either one point or two points. Each time the subject has to report whether he/she felt one
point or two points. Draw a 4 cm line on the subject's ventral forearm and blindfold her.
After instructing the subject, present the stimuli in random order and record the subject's
responses. Each trial should be preceded by a 'ready' signal.
Repeat the same procedure on the right palm as well.
[Note: If two-point sensation can not be obtained within 30mm values of stimuli presented may
be increased]

Instructions:
1. "I will touch your ventral forearm with either one point or two points. Report to me each
time whether one point or two points are touching your skin. I will give you a 'ready'
signal before each trial, so be very attentive."
2. "I will touch your right palm with either one point or two points. Report to me each time
whether one point or two points are touching your skin. I will give you a 'ready' signal
before each trial, so be very attentive."

Analysis of the Results:

1. Note down the frequency (f) of ‘two’ responses for each distance.
2. Compute the cumulative frequency of two-point sensation for each distance.
3. Compute the cumulative percentage (CP) using the value of the last 'cf' as the base
number.

cf
CP= ×100
Base Number

4. Plot the subject's data on a C-P (Cumulative - Percentage) graph to determine Reiz
Limen, as follows:
I. The stimulus values are plotted on the abscissa (x-axis) and cumulative
percentage values are plotted on the ordinate (y-axis), and the graph for the
subject's data is drawn.
II. A horizontal line is drawn from the 50 per cent point on the ordinate to the graph.
 III. From this point, a vertical line is dropped to the abscissa. The value on the
abscissa gives us the value of the absolute threshold for two points.
5. Compare the two-point thresholds of the subjects and verify the hypothesis.
6. If RL is at 40mm - moderate sensitivity, below 40mm - high cutaneous sensitivity, and
above 40mm - low cutaneous sensitivity.

Table 1A:

Individual Data Showing the Percentage of Two-Point Sensation for Different Distances of the
Left Hand.

Distance in Trials Cumulative

Frequency C.P
mm Frequency
I II

30 1 2 1 1 7.1
32 1 2 1 2 14.2
34 2 1 1 3 21.4

36 2 2 2 5 35.7
38 1 2 1 6 42.8
40 2 1 1 7 50
42 1 2 1 8 57.1
44 2 2 2 10 71.4
46 2 1 1 11 78.5
48 1 2 1 12 85.7
50 2 2 2 14 100
Table 1B:

Individual Data Showing the Percentage of Two-Point Sensation for Different Distances of the
Right Hand.

Distance in Trials Cumulative

Frequency C.P
mm I II Frequency

30 1 2 1 1 6.25
32 2 1 1 2 12.5
34 2 2 2 4 25
36 2 2 2 6 37.5
38 2 1 1 7 43.7
40 2 2 2 9 56.2
42 1 2 1 10 62.5
44 1 2 1 11 68.7
46 2 2 2 13 81.2
48 2 1 1 14 87.5
50 2 2 2 16 100

Graph 1:
Graph showing Cumulative Percentage Growth of Subject (Left Hand)

Graph 2:

Graph showing Cumulative Percentage Growth of Subject (Right Hand)

Table 2A:
Group Data showing the Two-Point Thresholds for Subjects of the Group (Left Hand).

Sl. No Name RL

1 SR 42
2 SP 45
3 KA 39
4 RK 41.2
5 YD 38

Total 205.2

Mean 41.04

Table 2B:

Group Data showing the Two-Point Thresholds for Subjects of the Group (Right Hand).

Sl. No Name RL

1 SR 39
2 SP 40.5
3 KA 41.8
4 RK 42.3
5 YD 45

Total 208.6

Mean 41.72

Points for Discussion:

1. Compare the subject’s RL with the representative value which is 40mm for the forearm.
2. Analyse the S.D. to verify the hypothesis.
Individual Discussion:
The aim of the experiment is to determine the subject’s two-point threshold on the left ventral
forearm and right palm using the method of constant stimulus differences.
Table – 1A and 1B shows the frequency, cumulative frequency, and cumulative percentage for
the two-point threshold of the subject of both right and left hands using the values of cumulative
percentage.
Two graphs were plotted to find out Reiz Limen or the two-point threshold. Reiz Limen or the
two-point threshold for the left ventral forearm is 40mm, this indicates that a minimum of 40mm
is required between two points for the subject to distinguish them as two points. Reiz Limen or
the two-point threshold for the right palm is 38.6mm, this indicates that a minimum of 38.6mm is
required between two points for the subject to distinguish them as two points. Comparing the
subject’s two-point thresholds with that of representative values of 40mm of the forearm and
38.6mm of the palm, it can be seen that the subject has moderate to high cutaneous sensitivity.

Individual Conclusion:
1. The subject has a Riez Limen of 40mm for the left ventral forearm and 38.6mm for the
right palm.
2. The subject has a moderate to high cutaneous sensitivity.

Group Discussion:
Table – 2A and 2B shows the total of the Riez Limen is 205.2mm with a mean score of 41.04 for
the left ventral forearm and for the right palm, the Reiz Limen is 208.6mm with a mean score of
41.72 which shows that the group has a fairly low cutaneous sensitivity. There are individual
differences present within the group.

Group Conclusion:
1. The group as a whole shows low cutaneous sensitivity.
2. Subjects vary in their cutaneous sensitivity.
3. The hypothesis is validated.
4. There are individual differences.

REFERENCES
Rinkel, W. D., Huisstede, B. M. A., Van Der Avoort, D. J., Coert, J. H., & Hovius, S. E.
(2013). What is evidence-based in the reconstruction of digital nerves? A systematic
review. Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, 66(2), 151–164.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2012.08.035

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Two-point discrimination. Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two-point_discrimination