Home › AP Psychology › Psychology › Sensation and Perception › Identifying a stimulus embedded in a distracting…
Identifying a stimulus embedded in a distracting background is explained by:
ATransduction theory
BSignal detection theory
CSensory adaptation theory
DAbsolute threshold theory
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. Signal detection theory
1. Detection in the real world happens against noise rather than silence.
2. The ability to identify a stimulus when it is embedded in a distracting background is called signal detection theory.
3. It explains why a parent wakes at a baby's cry but sleeps through traffic.
4. Absolute threshold assumes a quiet background instead.
_Source: OpenStax Psychology 2e (CC BY 4.0), Ch 5 'Sensation and Perception', sections 5.1-5.6_
Related questions
A just noticeable difference is measured between:Bottom-up and top-down processing are both needed because perception combines the signal wSignal detection theory differs from the absolute threshold because it addresses stimuli tTransduction has to occur in every sense because the nervous system can only carry:Sensory adaptation shows that a stimulus can be:The absolute threshold expresses a sensory system's:How we interact with the world is ultimately shaped not just by collecting information butSensation and perception are described as closely associated but: