Understanding Absolute Threshold Measurement

Within the study of sensation and perception, the threshold at which a stimulus is detected is a core concept. The absolute threshold refers to the minimum intensity of a stimulus that one can detect 50% of the time. A scientist is conducting an experiment to determine the absolute thresholds for various senses: hearing, vision, taste, and touch.

If the researcher presents a faint sound at a specific volume to a group of participants and measures the least loudness at which at least half of them can detect the sound, this measurement illustrates which of the following concepts?