Oct 15, 2017 14:38
6 yrs ago
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English term
lowered intolerance threshold
English
Social Sciences
Psychology
'Certain sounds can be piercing, and others can be just a little repulsive. Often, with individuals on the autism spectrum, the threshold for people’s intolerance to certain sounds is lowered. The aversion can be to do with volume, but sometimes sounds with certain ‘aural textures’ can cause repulsion.' (Luke Jackson 'Sex, drugs and Asperger's syndrome')
I have already asked this question here https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/lowered-intolerance-...
but I'm still not sure if I understand it correctly. To me this text simply says that some people on the autism spectrum are less tolerant to certain sounds.
I have already asked this question here https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/lowered-intolerance-...
but I'm still not sure if I understand it correctly. To me this text simply says that some people on the autism spectrum are less tolerant to certain sounds.
Responses
+4
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Selected
increased intolerance
Logically, intolerance is the opposite of tolerance.
If I have a high tolerance of sounds, it means it takes a lot to disturb me, if my tolerance is increased, it takes even more to disturb me, and if my tolerance is decreased, it takes less to disturb me.
So conversely, if my intolerance is increased, it takes LESS to disturb me, and if my intolerance is reduced, it takes MORE to disturb me.
However, the phrase here is "threshold for people's intolerance", i.e. the point at which something becomes intolerable. The implication is that if this is lowered, something becomes intolerable earlier/more quickly.
Similarly, if the threshold at which something becomes intolerable is highered, you can tolerate more.
Interestingly, with this threshold concept, it seems to me that it would mean the same if they had said "threshold for people's tolerance", because if raise the threshold of tolerance, people can tolerate more.
I think the key is that the threshold AFTER which something becomes intolerable, is exactly the same as the threshold BEFORE which something is tolerable!
I think it boils down to a usage thing, possibly in this field it is simply more common to say "threshold for intolerance", although you just as well say "threshold for intolerance".
If I have a high tolerance of sounds, it means it takes a lot to disturb me, if my tolerance is increased, it takes even more to disturb me, and if my tolerance is decreased, it takes less to disturb me.
So conversely, if my intolerance is increased, it takes LESS to disturb me, and if my intolerance is reduced, it takes MORE to disturb me.
However, the phrase here is "threshold for people's intolerance", i.e. the point at which something becomes intolerable. The implication is that if this is lowered, something becomes intolerable earlier/more quickly.
Similarly, if the threshold at which something becomes intolerable is highered, you can tolerate more.
Interestingly, with this threshold concept, it seems to me that it would mean the same if they had said "threshold for people's tolerance", because if raise the threshold of tolerance, people can tolerate more.
I think the key is that the threshold AFTER which something becomes intolerable, is exactly the same as the threshold BEFORE which something is tolerable!
I think it boils down to a usage thing, possibly in this field it is simply more common to say "threshold for intolerance", although you just as well say "threshold for intolerance".
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
13 hrs
hearing threshold, intolerance threshold, and pain threshold
Consider that there are two main limits as to hearing. The first one is the boundary between total silence and the first humming sound and it is known as hearing threshold. The hearing threshold starts at 0.0 dB. The second one is the highest top sound called pain threshold at 140 dB. In between, we can identify the intolerance threshold, which is the limits between the bearable and non-bearable sounds and it indicates the point in which intolerance to sounds starts. So, the lower the intolerance threshold is, the closer to the hearing threshold.
There’s a good graphic at https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/about-deafness-hear... wich can be useful for a better understanding. Hope it helps.
My regards,
Amebosert.
There’s a good graphic at https://www.hearinglink.org/your-hearing/about-deafness-hear... wich can be useful for a better understanding. Hope it helps.
My regards,
Amebosert.
1 hr
Herbmione Granger
Germany
Germany
Native in English
&
English
Germany
An American scholar based in Germany
Native in: English (Variant: US) 
Works in: French to English, German to English, English
lower something
Basic meaning: Often, for individuals on the autism spectrum, the level or amount of irritant needed before intolerance is reached is lower.
It is not inappropriate to talk in terms of intolerance when conveying the autistic experience.
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Note added at 4 hrs (2017-10-15 19:17:55 GMT)
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Edit: before intolerance is reached > before the irritation is intolerable
The meaning is not clear, but this is what I think he is trying to convey.
I don't think that "threshold" is a good choice here.
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Note added at 17 hrs (2017-10-16 07:39:13 GMT)
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I don't like my usage of "before."
Second attempt: (It is important to note that) many individuals on the autism spectrum are bothered by sounds at a level that would not bother an individual "off the spectrum." Objectively, the sounds are of the same intensity. To the autistic person, however, the sound is more intense.
For further reference:
http://www.myaspergers.net/what-is-aspergers/everyone-know-a...
https://www.autismspeaks.org/wordpress-tags/autism-and-intol...
It is not inappropriate to talk in terms of intolerance when conveying the autistic experience.
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Note added at 4 hrs (2017-10-15 19:17:55 GMT)
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Edit: before intolerance is reached > before the irritation is intolerable
The meaning is not clear, but this is what I think he is trying to convey.
I don't think that "threshold" is a good choice here.
--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 17 hrs (2017-10-16 07:39:13 GMT)
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I don't like my usage of "before."
Second attempt: (It is important to note that) many individuals on the autism spectrum are bothered by sounds at a level that would not bother an individual "off the spectrum." Objectively, the sounds are of the same intensity. To the autistic person, however, the sound is more intense.
For further reference:
http://www.myaspergers.net/what-is-aspergers/everyone-know-a...
https://www.autismspeaks.org/wordpress-tags/autism-and-intol...
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