Signal detection theory and choice theory are sufficiently similar in their predictions to make it difficult to decide which gives the better fit to experimental data. In some cases, such as the analysis of word recognition, this similarity has allowed choice theory formulations to be employed as approximations to those given by signal detection theory. It could be proposed that signal detection theory gives the more valid description of the underlying processes, and choice theory provides an approximation to it; or one might choose to argue the reverse. A procedure for testing between choice theory and signal detection theory is described and is applied to the data of Miller, Heise and Lichten (1951) and to the results of an experiment. Both sets of results favour signal detection theory rather than choice theory.
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