The sensory sampling model: theoretical developments and empirical findings

The article presents the distinction between Thurstonian and Brunswikian er rors in judgment, and provides an informal presentation of the sensory samp ling model (SESAM) which is premised on this distinction [Juslin, P., & Ols son, H. (1997). Thurstonian and Brunswikian origins of uncertainty in judge ment: a sampling model of confidence in sensory discrimination. Psychologic al Review, 104, 344-366]. SESAM predicts a disposition towards underestimat ion of discriminative ability in sensory discrimination tasks not pervasive ly affected by time pressure or perceptual illusions. This prediction is ve rified by a review of the literature. A number of recent studies with SESAM are discussed, including the applications to explain the effects of percep tual bias and outcome feedback. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights r eserved.