Asked by Omaimah Al Yousef on May 01, 2024

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What does signal-detection theory take into account that classical psychophysical theory did not?

A) absolute and difference thresholds
B) sensitivity and response criterion
C) Weber's and Fechner's laws
D) transduction and detection

Signal-Detection Theory

The theory that perceiving or not perceiving a stimulus is actually a judgment about whether a momentary sensory experience is due to background noise alone or to the background noise plus a signal.

Classical Psychophysical

Relates to the traditional study of the relationships between physical stimuli and the sensations and perceptions they produce.

Sensitivity

The capacity to perceive, feel, or be aware of stimuli or changes in the environment; can also refer to the degree of responsiveness to social or emotional matters.

  • Understand signal detection theory and its relevance in psychophysics.
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Zybrea KnightMay 05, 2024
Final Answer :
B
Explanation :
Signal-detection theory takes into account both sensitivity (the ability to differentiate between a signal and noise) and response criterion (the willingness to respond to a signal), whereas classical psychophysical theory only focuses on absolute and difference thresholds. Option A is incorrect because classical psychophysical theory deals with thresholds, not signal detection. Option C references the laws of psychophysics that are part of classical psychophysical theory. Option D refers to the process of converting stimuli from the environment into neural signals (transduction) and the subsequent detection of those signals, which is discussed in both classical and signal-detection theories.