Home > Psychology MCQ Questions and Answers > Which of the following sets includes the four key components in signal detection theory?
Which of the following sets includes the four key components in signal detection theory?
A
Errors, hits, speed, and accuracy
B
Speed, accuracy, power, and false alarm
C
Hit, miss, correct rejection, and false alarm
D
Acuity, efficacy, speed, and power
Correct Answer:
C
Hit, miss, correct rejection, and false alarm
- Signal detection theory (SDT) describes how we judge whether a stimulus (signal) is present under uncertain conditions.
- It is not just concerned with accuracy, but also with the consequences of decisions, making it useful in psychology and perception studies.
- These four main elements arise from the interaction between signal presence and the observer’s response.
- Hit: The signal is present and correctly detected.
- Miss: The signal is present but not detected.
- False alarm: The observer reports a signal when it is absent.
- Correct rejection: The signal is absent and correctly identified as absent.
- These outcomes help in the computation of sensitivity (d′) and decision criterion (bias).
- SDT is a better model because it separates perceptual ability from response strategy, leading to more accurate analysis.