Signal Detection Theory

Description: Signal Detection Theory is a mathematical model that describes how observers make decisions about the presence or absence of a signal in the presence of noise. It is used in a variety of fields, including psychology, neuroscience, and engineering.
Number of Questions: 14
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Tags: psychology mathematical psychology signal detection theory
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What is the main assumption of signal detection theory?

  1. Observers are able to perfectly discriminate between signal and noise.

  2. Observers are able to make optimal decisions about the presence or absence of a signal.

  3. Observers are unable to make any decisions about the presence or absence of a signal.

  4. Observers are able to make decisions about the presence or absence of a signal, but they are not always optimal.


Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Signal detection theory assumes that observers are able to make decisions about the presence or absence of a signal, but that these decisions are not always optimal. This is because observers are limited by their sensory abilities and by the amount of information that is available to them.

What are the two main types of errors that observers can make in signal detection theory?

  1. Type I errors and Type II errors.

  2. False positives and false negatives.

  3. Hits and misses.

  4. Correct rejections and correct detections.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The two main types of errors that observers can make in signal detection theory are false positives and false negatives. A false positive occurs when an observer responds that a signal is present when it is actually absent. A false negative occurs when an observer responds that a signal is absent when it is actually present.

What is the relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the probability of a correct detection?

  1. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

  2. The lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

  3. The signal-to-noise ratio has no effect on the probability of a correct detection.

  4. The relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the probability of a correct detection is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The signal-to-noise ratio is a measure of the strength of the signal relative to the strength of the noise. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the easier it is for an observer to detect the signal. Therefore, the higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

What is the relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a false positive?

  1. The more biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a false positive.

  2. The less biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a false positive.

  3. The observer's response bias has no effect on the probability of a false positive.

  4. The relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a false positive is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

An observer's response bias is a tendency to respond that a signal is present or absent, regardless of the actual presence or absence of a signal. The more biased an observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the more likely they are to make a false positive error.

What is the relationship between the observer's sensitivity and the probability of a correct detection?

  1. The higher the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

  2. The lower the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

  3. The observer's sensitivity has no effect on the probability of a correct detection.

  4. The relationship between the observer's sensitivity and the probability of a correct detection is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

An observer's sensitivity is a measure of their ability to detect a signal in the presence of noise. The higher an observer's sensitivity, the more likely they are to correctly detect a signal when it is present.

What is the relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a correct rejection?

  1. The more biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a correct rejection.

  2. The less biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a correct rejection.

  3. The observer's response bias has no effect on the probability of a correct rejection.

  4. The relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a correct rejection is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A correct rejection occurs when an observer responds that a signal is absent when it is actually absent. The less biased an observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the more likely they are to correctly reject a signal when it is actually absent.

What is the relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the observer's sensitivity?

  1. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the observer's sensitivity.

  2. The lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the observer's sensitivity.

  3. The signal-to-noise ratio has no effect on the observer's sensitivity.

  4. The relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the observer's sensitivity is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The signal-to-noise ratio is a measure of the strength of the signal relative to the strength of the noise. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the easier it is for an observer to detect the signal. Therefore, the higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the observer's sensitivity.

What is the relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a miss?

  1. The more biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a miss.

  2. The less biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a miss.

  3. The observer's response bias has no effect on the probability of a miss.

  4. The relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a miss is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A miss occurs when an observer responds that a signal is absent when it is actually present. The more biased an observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the more likely they are to miss a signal when it is actually present.

What is the relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the probability of a false negative?

  1. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a false negative.

  2. The lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a false negative.

  3. The signal-to-noise ratio has no effect on the probability of a false negative.

  4. The relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the probability of a false negative is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: B
Explanation:

A false negative occurs when an observer responds that a signal is absent when it is actually present. The lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the harder it is for an observer to detect the signal. Therefore, the lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a false negative.

What is the relationship between the observer's sensitivity and the probability of a false positive?

  1. The higher the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a false positive.

  2. The lower the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a false positive.

  3. The observer's sensitivity has no effect on the probability of a false positive.

  4. The relationship between the observer's sensitivity and the probability of a false positive is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A false positive occurs when an observer responds that a signal is present when it is actually absent. The higher an observer's sensitivity, the more likely they are to detect a signal when it is actually absent. Therefore, the higher the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a false positive.

What is the relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a hit?

  1. The more biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a hit.

  2. The less biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a hit.

  3. The observer's response bias has no effect on the probability of a hit.

  4. The relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a hit is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A hit occurs when an observer responds that a signal is present when it is actually present. The more biased an observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the more likely they are to hit a signal when it is actually present.

What is the relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the probability of a correct detection?

  1. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

  2. The lower the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

  3. The signal-to-noise ratio has no effect on the probability of a correct detection.

  4. The relationship between the signal-to-noise ratio and the probability of a correct detection is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The signal-to-noise ratio is a measure of the strength of the signal relative to the strength of the noise. The higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the easier it is for an observer to detect the signal. Therefore, the higher the signal-to-noise ratio, the higher the probability of a correct detection.

What is the relationship between the observer's sensitivity and the probability of a correct rejection?

  1. The higher the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a correct rejection.

  2. The lower the observer's sensitivity, the higher the probability of a correct rejection.

  3. The observer's sensitivity has no effect on the probability of a correct rejection.

  4. The relationship between the observer's sensitivity and the probability of a correct rejection is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A correct rejection occurs when an observer responds that a signal is absent when it is actually absent. The higher an observer's sensitivity, the more likely they are to correctly reject a signal when it is actually absent.

What is the relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a false alarm?

  1. The more biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a false alarm.

  2. The less biased the observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the higher the probability of a false alarm.

  3. The observer's response bias has no effect on the probability of a false alarm.

  4. The relationship between the observer's response bias and the probability of a false alarm is complex and depends on a number of factors.


Correct Option: A
Explanation:

A false alarm occurs when an observer responds that a signal is present when it is actually absent. The more biased an observer is towards responding that a signal is present, the more likely they are to make a false alarm.

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