9/22/2014

Human Factors Engineering

Dr. Osama Al Meanazel

Lecture 8
(Signal Detection Theory)

Disadvantages of Information Theory

 Most of its concept are descriptive rather than explanatory

 It offers only the most primitive clues about the underlying

psychological mechanisms of information processing

 Consequences of decisions
• Signal detection theory

 Time
• Ht/time

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Signal Detection Theory

 This can be used to understand human performance and in the

designing of systems for any signal detection task

 Examples: detecting malfunction in a nuclear power plant, inspection

tasks, diagnostic tasks, air traffic control operators task, military target
acquisitions task

Signal Detection Theory

 Person can answer four possible outcomes

• Hit: saying signal when there is a signal
• False Alarm: saying signal when there is no signal
• Miss: saying no signal when there is signal
• Correct Reject: saying no signal when there is no signal

Stimulus
Response
Signal Noise
Hit False Alarm
Signal
P(S/S) P(N/S)
Miss Correct Reject
Noise
P(S/N) P(N/N)

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Signal Detection Theory

 Noise, is any situation that can interfere with the detection of a signal

• Generated externally: noise in factory

• Generated internally: noise within the person

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Signal Detection Theory

 Response Criterion (β): a criterion based on which people make

decisions

External stimuli  Generate neural activity in the brain  If the neural activity
exceeds a threshold (β)  Call it a signal else say no signal

 The response criteria is affected by two factors

• The likelihood of observing the signal
• The cost / benefits associated with the outcomes

Signal Detection Theory

 Sensitivity (d’): this measures the keenness or resolution of the

system
• It is the degree of separation of the two curves

 The sensitivity can be improved by

• Providing physical standards
• Providing feedback on ones performance

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Signal Detection Theory

Normal Distribution Tables

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Example

 Calculate the following

• β actual
• β optimal
• d'

Payoff matrix
S N
S N
S 198 1
S 2 -0.2
N 2 99
N -1.5 2.5