Abstract
The effects of increasing the length of an interval of continuous temporal uncertainty (ITU) on the detectability of visualsignals were investigated in a ‘Yes/No’ detection situation. Ss were uncerlain about when a signal might occur within a given observalion interval, the duration of which was varied. Longer intervals of uncertainty resulted in a decrement in detectability, which was shown to be directly attributable to increased false alarm rates. It was suggested that observers have more opportunities for confusing signals with noise. The time course of detectability within a givenITU was also investigated, but there were no significant variations.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Creelman, C. D. Detection of signals of uncertain frequency.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1960, 32, 775–810.
Egan, J. P., Greenberg, G. Z., &Schulman, A. I. Detection of signals presented at random times.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1959, 31, 1579 (Abstract).
Egan, J. P., Greenberg, G. Z., &Schulman, A. I. Interval of time uncertalnty in auditory detection.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1961, 33, 771–778.
Egan, J. P., Schulman, A. I., &Greenberg, G. Z. Memory for wave-form and time uncertalnty in auditory detection.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1961, 33, 779–781.
Green, D. M. Detection of auditory sinusoids of uncertain fre-quency.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1961, 33, 897–903.
Gundy, R. F. Auditory detection of an unspecified signal.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1961, 33, 1008–1012.
Howarth, C. I., &Lowe, G. Statistical detection theory of Piper’s law.Nature. 1966, 212, 324–326.
Pollack, I. Message uncertainty and message reception.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1959, 31, 1500–1508.
Shipley, E. F. Cueing as a determiner of apparent variability in sensitivity.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1959, 31, 834.
Shipley, E. F. A model for detection and recognition with signal uncertainty.Psychometrika, 1960, 25, 273–289.
Swets, J. A. Indices of signal detectability obtained with various psychophysical procedures.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1959, 31, 511–513.
Veniar, F, A. Signal detection as a function of frequency ensemble.J. Acoust. Soc. Amer., 1958, 30, 1020–1024; 1075–1078.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
This research was supported by a grant from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (now Science Research Council). England, on ‘Human decision processes’, awarded to Professor C., I. Howarth, University of Nottingham, England. Appreciation is expressed to A. R. McKellar for assistance at various stages of the project.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lowe, G. Interval of time uncertainty in visual detection. Perception & Psychophysics 2, 278–280 (1967). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211041
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03211041