0.  You should have a calculator and straight-edge for this test. Your phone calculator will work.

1. What is the standard explanation of an illusion?  What was Fechner trying to accomplish when he founded psychophysics? From his viewpoint, what is the absolute threshold and why is it important?

2. How do you determine the absolute threshold, using the Method of Limits, the Method of Constant Stimuli, and the Method of Adjustment? How are the methods similar and how are they different? What is the staircase method?

3.  Be able to analyze a psychophysical function for the absolute threshold. The topics page has a practice function. 

4. What is a difference threshold? How are the data collected? How are the results plotted?

5. Examine the psychophysical function for a difference threshold on the class web site. Be able to determine and explain the reasoning behind such terms as the Point of Subjective Equality, Upper Difference Limen, Lower Difference Limen, the Interval of Uncertainty, and the Just Noticeable Difference.  The topics page has a practice function.

6. What is Weber's Law? Explain the meaning of the mathematical formula. Be able to interpret JND values. Be able to predict a JND using Weber’s Law. How can it be used practically?

7.  What is the basic meaning of Fechner's Law about perception? How is Fechner's Law different from Weber's Law?  What is the meaning of a logarithmic scale?

8. Understand the magnitude estimation procedure and how the results from that procedure are used in Stevens' Power Law.

9. Be able to predict or interpret the meaning of various exponents derived from Stevens' Power Law on the form of the psychophysical function.  How can it be used practically?

10.  What is the basic method of the Signal Detection Theory?

11. Know the difference in procedures between a Signal Detection experiment and the classical absolute threshold experiment.

12. Know the matrix of 4 possible outcomes for a trial in a Signal Detection experiment.  Be able to label the outcome of a trial. 

13. According to Signal Detection Theory, our tendency to say "Yes, I detected it" is controlled by our criterion (C) or decision rule (criterion, bias, beta,) and our sensitivity to the difference between the event being there or not (d'). Know how outcome matrices should be examined to separate these two factors.

14.  Be able to interpret d' and C  scores practically.  You won't need to calculate values but you will need to be able to assess values.

15. Could a person with a 100% Hit rate be a bad detector?  How would you know?

16. What is the general detection issue in detecting events like the presence of cancer, bombs, or whether you have COVID according to your test results?  How do you make an informed decision?