Effect of False Information on Responses in a Signal‐Detection Task

In a 2‐alternative, temporal, forced‐choice signal‐detection task, observers received degrees of correct information as to the interval in which the signal had occurred. Groups π(100), π(75), and π(50) received correct feedback following every trial in the proportions 1.00, 0.75, and 0.50, respectively. Group π(0) received no information on any trial. 18 observers were run for 400 trials under each combination of 2 E/N0's and the 4 information conditions. Results were (a) detection rate was greatest for π(100) and π(0) within both E/N0's; but (b) rate of Group π(100)>π(0) for low E/N0 and π(0)>π(100) for high E/N0, in agreement with an earlier result obtained in a Yes‐No experiment. Are S1EjAk states on trial n independent of S1EjAk states on trial n−1 (where i, j, k=1, 2 and Si=stimulus interval, Ej=experimenter feedback to observer, Ak=response of observer)? That is, are transition probabilities stationary? For both E/N0's: (1) all states for π(0) were stationary; (2) a single state (S2E2Ak) was nonstat...