What does Weber's law state about the perception of stimuli?

Weber's law asserts that the perception of change in a stimulus is relative rather than absolute. Specifically, it states that the minimum difference in intensity required to detect a change in a stimulus (known as the Just Noticeable Difference, or JND) is proportional to the original intensity of the stimulus. This means that as the intensity of a stimulus increases, a larger change is necessary for that change to be perceived.

For example, if you're holding a light weight, a small added weight may be easily noticeable. However, if you're holding a much heavier weight, you would need to add a proportionally larger weight for the change to be perceived. This proportional relationship emphasizes that the ability to perceive a difference in stimuli is dependent on the ratio of intensities rather than a fixed amount.

Understanding this proportional nature helps explain how our sensory systems function in relation to varying intensities and supports the rationale behind many sensory experiences we encounter in daily life.