Glossary M

Method of adjustment when observer adjusts a variable stimulus until it appears to be equal to a standard stimulus.

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Method of authority refers to a a method of fixing belief in which an authority's word is taken on faith. Likewise, Method of authority is a method of acquiring knowledge in which a person relies on information or answers from an expert in the subject area.

Method of constant stimuli when a stimulus is presented at different intensities along with a standard stimulus, and the observer reports if it appears to be greater than, less than, or equal to the standard.

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Method of faith is a variant of the Method of authority in which people have unquestioning trust in the authority figure and, therefore, accept information from the authority without doubt or challenge.

Method of intuition refers to a method of acquiring knowledge in which information is accepted on the basis of a hunch or "gut feeling "

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Method of limits refers to a psychophysical procedure for determining thresholds in which ascending and descending sequences of stimuli are presented; a stimulus is presented at varying intensities along with a standard (constant) stimulus to determine the range of intensities judged to be the same as the standard.

Method of loci refers to a memorization method that requires the learner to visualize an ordered series of physical locations as mnemonic cues for a list of information.

Method of tenacity refers to a method of fixing belief involving a steadfast adherence to a particular belief, regardless of contrary arguments or data. Likewise, it is a method of acquiring knowledge in which information is accepted as true because it has always been believed or because superstition supports it.