Chapter I presents the elements of statistical decision theory that are useful in analysing detection processes. Chapter 2 shows how the statistical concept of the "operating characteristic" provides independent measures of the observer's sensitivity and of the criterion he uses in making decisions about signal existence. This chapter also shows the statistical concept of the "operating characteristics"provides independent measures of the observer's sensitivity and of the criterion he uses in making decisions about signal existence. This chapter also shows how a distribution-free measure of sensitivity serves to unify the results obtained with three different psychological procedures. Some hypothetical distributions of sensory events are discussed in Chapter 3- particularly the normal distribution, which underlies the frequently used index of sensitivity termed d'. Chapter 4- reviews experimental results that support the psychophysical application of detection theory. Chapter 5 assays classical psychophysical procedures, and classical and modern views of the concept of a sensory threshold, in relation to the empirical evidence.
Abstract