Signal Detection Theory

Lawrence Ward
P465A
1. The problem:
Theory: Data:

Statistical
Threshold 4.5

There doesn’t seem to be a clear absolute (or differential)

threshold. Correction for guessing doesn’t help. There are
cases where there is no stimulus present but the subject
perceives something => noise.
2. Proposal: Signal detection is a signal /noise decision
problem.
3. Basic Experiment: Some trials present signal, some no
signal. Require yes/no response. Generates basic
outcome matrix:

Table 1. Outcomes of a Signal Detection Experiment

Response
Yes No
Signal Present Hit Miss
Signal Absent False alarm Correct negative

Table 2. Example Outcome Matrix (Proportions): Stimulus

Present 50% of the Time
Response
Yes No
Signal Present 0.75 0.25
Signal Absent 0.25 0.75
Table 3. Example Outcome Matrices (Proportions) for Two
Different Conditions

STIMULUS PRESENT 90% OF THE TIME

Response
Yes No
Signal Present 0.95 0.05
Signal Absent 0.63 0.37

STIMULUS PRESENT 10% OF THE TIME

Response
Yes No
Signal Present 0.35 0.65
Signal Absent 0.04 0.96

Table 4. Typical Payoff Matrix (Values are in $CAD)

Response
Yes No
Signal Present +0.01 -0.01
Signal Absent -0.02 +0.01
4. Basic theory to explain these data
4.1 Repeated presentations of signal absent trials generates
normal probability distribution of decision variable values (think
sensation magnitudes )

4.2 Addition of signal increases the mean of the signal absent

distribution but leaves standard deviation unchanged

4.3 Yes/no decision made by referring value of the decision

variable, I(s), on a given trial to a criterion value, ic .

4.4 More formally: using the decision rule

#"& # yes&
if I(s) $ ' ic then say $ '
%<( % no (
and definitions

+"
+"
#! f N (I ) dI = p( fa)
#f SN (I ) dI = p(hit)
Z N =ic
Z SN =ic
we can define a performance measure that is
independent of the decision criterion. This situation is
pictured below:

0.45
d'

N S+N
0.35
Probability Density

0.25

0.15

0.05
0.00
Decision Criterion (ic)
-0.05
-4 -2 0 2 4 6
Decision Variable (I)

M SN − M N
d ' = Z N − Z SN =
σ N ,SN
 In order to estimate d’ and the location of the criterion, ic, from the
data, we build this picture from the outcome matrix by associating the
proportions of various outcomes with the areas under the distribution
curves to the right and left of the criterion. Also, in this scheme, the
decision criterion is in z-score units and thus its interpretation depends
on the value of d’. A criterion measure whose interpretation does not
depend on d’ is called β and is calculated as the ratio of the heights of
the two curves where the criterion crosses them (see below).

5. Approximation of d' and ß

5.1 Notation:
5.11 P(HIT) is the proportion of hits; P(FA) is the proportion of false
alarms.
5.12 Z(HIT) (or ZSN in the equations) is the position on the Z axis to
the right of which the area under the signal present curve is equal to P
(HIT) (i.e. solve equation for ZSN); Z(FA) (or ZN in the equations) is
the analogous position for the signal absent curve and P(FA) (i.e. solve
equation for ZN).
5.13 O(HIT) is the height of the signal present curve at the position of
Z(HIT); O(FA) is the height of the signal absent curve at the position
of Z(FA).
5.2 To approximate d':

P( HIT )0.14 − (1 − p( HIT ))0.14

5.21 Z ( HIT ) = ( −1) ⋅
0.2

P( FA)0.14 − (1 − P( FA))0.14
5.22 Z ( FA) = ( −1) ⋅
0.2
5.23 d' = Z(FA) - Z(HIT)

5.3 To approximate ß:
− ( Z ( HIT ) 2 )/ 2
2.718
5.31 O( HIT ) =
2.5

− ( Z ( FA ) 2 )/ 2
2.718
5.32 O( FA) =
2.5

5.33 ß = O(HIT) / O(FA)