SIGNAL DETECTION AS A FUNCTION OF INTERSIGNAL INTERVAL DURATION

Abstract

The probability of signal detection as a function of intersignal interval duration was determined from data obtained in 3 studies of vigilance performance. In one study, the distribution of intersignal intervals was positively skewed, there were many more brief intervals than long intervals. In other studies, the distributions of intervals were rectangular. The intersignal intervals were identified by: (1) the amount of time since the previous signal was detected, (2) the amount of time since the previous signal occurred, and (3) the amount of time since the previous signal was missed. The results support an expectancy theory of vigilance, if theory is modified to state that expectancy (and hence probability of detection) is highest at the modal rather than the mean intersignal interval.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1961
Accession Number
AD0254835

Entities

People

  • Albert Harabedian
  • James J. Mc Grath

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Analysis Of Variance
  • Antisubmarine Warfare
  • Auditory Signals
  • Contracts
  • Detection
  • Dual Mode
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Intervals
  • Military Research
  • Naval Personnel
  • Signal Detection
  • Submarine Warfare
  • Submarines
  • United States
  • Visual Signals
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Brain and Cognitive Science; Experimental Psychology; Cognitive Neuroscience
  • Regression Analysis.