PSYA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 12: Detection Theory, Subliminal Stimuli, Absolute Threshold
Document Summary
Difference vs. absolute thresholds: thresholds is an architectural term, as you pass through a threshold you suddenly exist, how much stimulus does something need for us to notice it. The threshold between knowing something exists and not knowing. Subliminal self help in the 80s: you would hear nice sounds but under the sounds there were messages being transmitted to the subconscious mind. Can the brain detect information the conscious mind is not aware of. Signal detection theory: you would see trials, on every trial a stimulus would be present or not, you are asked to say whether or not it was presented, why would people say yes to no stimulus. You would set it up to be very difficult where they aren"t really sure so they feel like they"re guessing. Saying yes when a stimulus is there: hit. Saying no when there is a stimulus: a miss.
