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Detection and Discrimination of Environmental Change

Eugene Galanter

10.1002/cphy.cp010303

Source: Supplement 3: Handbook of Physiology, The Nervous System, Sensory Processes

Originally published: 1984

Published online: January 2011

Full Article on Wiley Online Library



Abstract

The sections in this article are:

1 Perceptual Processes
2 Modern Psychophysics
3 Signal‐Detection Theory: An Example of Two‐Parameter Decision Problems
4 Theory of Signal Detectability
5 Criticisms of Theory of Signal Detectability and Development of Alternative Theories
6 Decision Theory and the Threshold
7 Vigilance and Watch Keeping
8 Perception and Psychophysics
9 Fechner's Problem
10 Magnitude Estimation—Scaling by Introspective Report
Figure 1. Figure 1.

Isosensitivity function showing shifts in responses induced by changes in payoffs when same signal is presented. Coordinate system adjusts proportions to match normal probability distribution.
Figure 2. Figure 2.

Theoretical distributions of theory of signal detectability. Left distribution, nonstimulus effects; right distribution, stimulus effects. Shaded portion to right of C, criterion, represents proportion of false alarms.
Figure 3. Figure 3.

Isosensitivity graph; coordinates are linear proportions. The 3 functions represent 3 different theories. Solid line, threshold theory; dashed line, theory of signal detectability; dotted line, two‐limbed threshold theory.

From Galanter 11. In: Yearbook of Science and Technology, edited by D. I. Eggenberger. Copyright © 1966 by McGraw‐Hill Book Company. Used with permission of McGraw‐Hill Book Company
Figure 4. Figure 4.

A magnitude‐estimation function based on geometric means of judgments of 10 observers. Standard stimulus of 85 dB was assigned the modulus 100.
Figure 5. Figure 5.

Two magnitude‐estimation functions for a single observer. Circles, judgments made with constantly shifting standard and modulus; stars, judgments made with standard stimulus equal to 69 dB assigned the modulus 100. Functions are displaced on ordinate to separate data.


Figure 1.

Isosensitivity function showing shifts in responses induced by changes in payoffs when same signal is presented. Coordinate system adjusts proportions to match normal probability distribution.



Figure 2.

Theoretical distributions of theory of signal detectability. Left distribution, nonstimulus effects; right distribution, stimulus effects. Shaded portion to right of C, criterion, represents proportion of false alarms.



Figure 3.

Isosensitivity graph; coordinates are linear proportions. The 3 functions represent 3 different theories. Solid line, threshold theory; dashed line, theory of signal detectability; dotted line, two‐limbed threshold theory.

From Galanter 11. In: Yearbook of Science and Technology, edited by D. I. Eggenberger. Copyright © 1966 by McGraw‐Hill Book Company. Used with permission of McGraw‐Hill Book Company


Figure 4.

A magnitude‐estimation function based on geometric means of judgments of 10 observers. Standard stimulus of 85 dB was assigned the modulus 100.



Figure 5.

Two magnitude‐estimation functions for a single observer. Circles, judgments made with constantly shifting standard and modulus; stars, judgments made with standard stimulus equal to 69 dB assigned the modulus 100. Functions are displaced on ordinate to separate data.

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Article Title: Detection and Discrimination of Environmental Change
 

How to Cite

Eugene Galanter. Detection and Discrimination of Environmental Change. Compr Physiol 2011, Supplement 3: Handbook of Physiology, The Nervous System, Sensory Processes: 103-121. First published in print 1984. doi: 10.1002/cphy.cp010303