Sensing and decision-making components of the signal-regularity effect in vigilance performance

Abstract

A signal-detection-theory analysis was used to assess the sensing and decision-making components of the signal-regularity effect in vigilance performance—enhanced efficiency when critical signals for detection appear in a temporally regular as opposed to a temporally irregular manner. The signal regularity effect was found to be rooted in perceptual sensitivity and was unrelated to response bias. This finding was robust; it occurred with both a simultaneous (comparative judgment) and a successive (absolute judgment) vigilance task. Implications for an expectancy model of the signal-regularity effect are discussed. © 1992, Psychonomic Society, Inc.. All rights reserved.