What term refers to stimuli that are below the threshold of conscious perception?

Study for the AP Psychology exam - Biological Bases of Behavior section. Explore multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your test!

The term that refers to stimuli that are below the threshold of conscious perception is indeed "subliminal." This concept is crucial in understanding how certain stimuli can influence thoughts and behaviors without individuals being aware of them. Subliminal stimuli are those that are presented below the level of conscious awareness, meaning they cannot be identified or perceived consciously by an individual, yet they may still affect psychological processes.

In contrast, the absolute threshold refers to the minimum intensity of a stimulus that can be detected at least 50% of the time, and the difference threshold is the smallest amount by which a stimulus can be changed and the difference detected. Transduction, on the other hand, refers to the process by which sensory receptors convert stimuli into neural signals. None of these terms address the specific idea of stimuli being below conscious perception, which is why subliminal is the accurate choice in this context.

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