AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Psychophysics makes use of signal detection theory, a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus or signal, amid distracting background stimulation, for example, noise.

Detailed explanation-2: -Signal detection theory: a theory predicting how and when we detect the presence of a faint stimulus (signal) amid background distractions. Assumes there is no single absolute threshold and that detection depends partly on a person’s experience, expectations, motivation, and alertness.

Detailed explanation-3: -Correct answer: Explanation: The signal detection theory predicts when we will detect weak signals (stimuli). This theory negates the idea of absolute thresholds because the purpose is to ascertain why individuals react to the same stimulus differently.

Detailed explanation-4: -Weber’s Law Researchers use signal detection theory to predict when a weak signal will be detected. This theory considers the fact that the ability to detect a signal depends not only on the strength of the signal but also on the perceiver’s experience, motivation, expectation, and degree of alertness.

Detailed explanation-5: -any aspect of the sensory process involved in detecting a signal (Green, 1970), the theory forces audiologists to question the physical existence of “sensory thresholds.” The theory assumes that all auditory measurements ulti-mately are conducted in noise.