Detection and recognition: Experiments and choice models

Abstract An experiment is described in which each of 3 observers participated in 12 different detection and recognition tasks; relevant choice models based on Luce's work are examined. The stimulus parameter from a two-alternative forced-choice task is shown to be related to the stimulus parameter from the corresponding yes-no detection task by a distance representation. An assumption is made to relate stimulus parameters from recognition tasks to stimulus parameters from detection tasks; again a distance representation is used and the predicted relation is supported by the data. Several extensions of the choice models to composite tasks that require both recognition and detection are examined. Multistage choice models in which recognition occurs first and is followed by detection are judged most adequate. Data from tasks with uncertainty in one of two aspects of the stimulus are compared with data from composite tasks to evaluate the assumption that covert responses actually occur in the former tasks and influence the overt responses. With one exception, response proportions summed over the irrelevant response from the composite tasks are similar to response proportions from the tasks with uncertainty. The exception, recognition when no signal is presented on one-half the trials, yields response proportions similar to those found in the simple recognition task. In general, the covert response assumption appears to be supported whenever both stages of choice are required.