Definition
Decision making is often associated with uncertainty. Signal detection theory (SDT) provides a framework for systematically characterizing decision making in the presence of uncertainty, taking into account that the outcome of a decision making process is attributable to both objective information and subjective bias of the observer. SDT has a wide range of applications, including in psychophysical experiments, examination of cognitive processes such as attention and memory, and medical and psychological diagnosis.
Historical Background
SDT is considered an extension of the psychophysical theory of Gustav Theodor Fechner (1801–1887), and later of Louis Leon Thurstone (1887–1955). Chapter 1 of Swets (1996) provides a comprehensive overview of the development of SDT.
Current Knowledge
A simple yes/no detection task will be used here to illustrate the basic concepts of SDT. Discussion of more advanced applications can be found in the references below. Consider a hypothetical...
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References and Readings
Green, D. M., & Swets, J. A. (1966). Signal detection theory and psychophysics. New York: Wiley.
Swets, J. A. (1996). Signal detection theory and ROC analysis in psychology and diagnostics: Collected papers. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Wickens, T. D. (2002). Elementary signal detection theory. New York: Oxford University Press.
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Gongvatana, A. (2011). Signal Detection Theory. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1330
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-79948-3_1330
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