In a recent article, Craig (1977) has considered the question, first attacked by Broadbent and Gregory (1963), as to the applicability of signal detection theory (SDT) to the vigilance situation, and he has discussed the use of group data by Loeb and Binford (1964) in approaching this same question. In a still more recent article by Craig (1978) it is argued that a probability-matching model is appropriate for explaining the “vigilance decrement” with time on task. Here it is agreed that to a degree SDT may be applied to vigilance and that some matching of response frequency to signal frequency may occur, but it is argued that there are changes within and across sessions which may not be explained in these terms and which may involve learning about the differential characteristics of signal and non-signal stimuli.
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