Decision latency: The P3 component in auditory signal detection

Abstract Evoked potentials accompanying decisions on signal and nonsignal presentations in a threshold detection task are recorded and analyzed by means of a latency alignment procedure. The results indicate the presence of a distinct P3 wave accompanying both correct signal-present and correct signal-absent decisions. Single P3 waves associated with signal-absent decisions are shown to have a longer mean latency and a larger latency variability than those associated with signal-present decisions. These latency characteristics of the P3 wave appeared to correlate with the level of confidence with which the decision was taken.

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