liminal stimulus


thresh·old stim·u·lus

a stimulus of threshold strength, that is, one just strong enough to excite.
See also: adequate stimulus.
Synonym(s): liminal stimulus

stimulus

S19-899880 (stim'u-lus) plural.stimuli [L., a goad] 1. A change of environment of sufficient intensity to evoke a response in an organism.2. An excitant or irritant.

adequate stimulus

1. Any stimulus capable of evoking a response, i.e., an environmental change possessing a certain intensity, acting for a certain length of time, and occurring at a certain rate.2. A stimulus capable of initiating a nerve impulse in a specific type of receptor.

chemical stimulus

A chemical (liquid, gaseous, or solid) that is capable of evoking a response.

conditioned stimulus

A stimulus that gives rise to a conditioned response. See: reflex, conditioned

electric stimulus

A stimulus resulting from initiation of or cessation of a flow of electrons as from a battery, induction coil, or generator.

homologous stimulus

A stimulus that acts only on specific sensory end organs.

iatrotropic stimulus

Any stimulus or event that makes a person seek or receive medical attention, such as a symptom, a physical finding, or the need for a routine or required health screening examination.

liminal stimulus

Threshold stimulus.

mechanical stimulus

A stimulus produced by a physical change such as contact with objects or changes in pressure.

minimal stimulus

Threshold stimulus.

nociceptive stimulus

A painful and usually injurious stimulus.

subliminal stimulus

A stimulus that is weaker than a threshold stimulus.

thermal stimulus

A stimulus produced by a change in skin temperature, a rise giving sensations of warmth, a fall giving sensations of coldness.

threshold stimulus

The least or weakest stimulus that is capable of initiating a response or giving rise to a sensation. Synonym: liminal stimulus; minimal stimulus

unconditioned stimulus

Any stimulus that elicits an unconditioned response (i.e., a response that occurs by reflex rather than by learning).