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Signal Detection Theory
A psychophysical measure to investigate decision making based on sensory input. Signal detection theory is based on two measures: the individual's sensory sensitivity, also referred to as d, and the individual's criterion for acting on the sensory information provided, â. To measure these, an individual's responses under two different conditions are required. For example, in a visual experiment, the person may be asked to respond whether he or she has observed weak light (referred to as the signal) or no light (referred to as noise). As either a signal or noise was presented and the person responds that there either has or has not been a light, there can be four different types of responses. The correct responses can either be a hit, in ...