A radiologist screening mammograms to detect breast cancer in a high-risk patient is likely to ______.
A)adopt a low criterion because she does not want signal-detection misses
B)adopt a high criterion because she does not want many signal-detection false alarms
C)do everything she can to decrease sensitivity so as to create more correct rejections
D)do everything she can to increase sensitivity so as to create fewer false alarms

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In signal detection theory, adopting a low criterion means being more willing to indicate a signal is present (in this case, signs of breast cancer) to avoid misses (failing to detect cancer when it is there). This approach is particularly important in high-risk patients where the cost of a miss (not detecting cancer) is very high.

A Radiologist Screening Mammograms to Detect Breast Cancer in a High-Risk