Method of Limits

The Method of Limits is a way researchers measure how sensitive a person is to a particular stimulus. They gradually increase or decrease the intensity of the stimulus (like brightness or sound) until the person reports a noticeable change. For example, they might slowly raise the volume of a sound until you say it's just loud enough to hear, then lower it until it becomes inaudible. By doing this repeatedly, researchers determine the threshold—the point where the stimulus becomes detectable or just noticeable. It's a precise method to assess sensory sensitivity and perception.