A criterion-shift model for enhanced discriminability in perceptual identification: A note on the counter model

The original version of the counter model for perceptual identification (Ra tcliff & McKoon, 1997) assumed that word frequency and prior study act sole ly to bias the identification process (i.e., subjects have a tendency to pr efer high-frequency and studied low-frequency words, irrespective of the pr esented word). In a recent study, using a two-alternative forced-choice par adigm, we showed an enhanced discriminability effect for high-frequency and studied low-frequency words (Wagenmaakers, Zeelenberg, & Raaijmakers, 2000 ). These results have led to a fundamental modification of the counter mode l: Prior study and high frequency not only result in bias, but presumably a lso result in a higher rate of feature extraction (i.e., better perception) . We demonstrate that a criterion-shift model, assuming limited perceptual information extracted from the flash as well as a reduced distance to an id entification threshold for high-frequency and studied low-frequency words, can also account for enhanced discriminability.