Final answer:
Sensitivity and response bias impact our ability to detect signals in signal detection theory.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to detect signals is influenced by two factors: sensitivity and response bias. Sensitivity, also known as absolute threshold, refers to the minimum amount of stimulus energy required to detect a stimulus 50% of the time. For example, the sensitivity of our sensory receptors allows us to detect a candle flame 30 miles away or hear the tick of a clock 20 feet away. Response bias, on the other hand, refers to the tendency to favor one response over another when detecting a signal. An example of response bias is the Bradley effect, where individuals may give answers they think are socially desirable rather than their true feelings. Both sensitivity and response bias play a role in our ability to detect signals.