Detection of Social Cues: a Signal Detection Theory Analysis

A study was done to demonstrate the usefulness of a signal detection theory (TSD) analysis of the perception of social cues. Eighty-three subjects filled out three personality inventories and then judged how sure they were that approval had or had not been given in each of 104 videotaped remarks. Sensitivity and response bias were predicted from introversion-extraversion, locus of control, need for approval, age and sex in multiple linear regression analyses. Sensitivity was found to be related to age, sex, need for approval and locus of control. Response bias was related to sex. It appears that both sensitivity and response aspects are involved in the detection of a social cue.