In a study, researchers asked radiologists to detect faint tumors in chest X-rays under two conditions. In condition A, they were told tumors were rare; in condition B, they were told tumors were common. Hit rates and false alarm rates were recorded. Radiologists in condition B identified more tumors correctly but also produced more false alarms than those in condition A. Sensitivity to the actual signal was unchanged.
Signal detection theory predicts that hit rate depends on which two factors?
- Acheck_circle
Sensitivity to the signal and the observer's response criterion
- B
Stimulus intensity and ambient lighting only
- C
Working memory capacity and attention span
- D
Absolute threshold and adaptation level
Explanation
Signal detection theory holds that performance depends jointly on sensitivity (d-prime) and the observer's criterion, which is influenced by expectations, motivation, and payoffs.