An analysis of visual detection by temporal probability summation

摘要

The probability of detection by temporal probability summation (TPS) is derived assuming a non-white Gaussian noise process, characterised by a finite second spectral moment 2,; the assumption of stationary noise is discussed with respect to neurophysiological findings suggesting multiplicative noise for individual neurons. The usual white-noise assumption is shown to imply inconsistent detection models. d'-estimates for 2AFC-experiments do not depend on the value of lambda(2) and do not differ from those derived from the standard SDT-assumptions, in contrast to d'-estimates for yes-no-experiments, which depend on the probability of false alarms. Estimates of properties of a visual channel depend on whether detection is by TPS or temporal peak detection (TPD); it is argued that TPD is not a special case of TPS, and that subjects chose a TPS- or a TPD-strategy depending on experimental conditions. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.