false alarm

5.16  false alarm. Event that occurs in a detection situation, during a specified observation interval, when a “signal-plus-noise” response (output) follows a “noise-alone” stimulus (input).

Annotation 1      A false alarm and a correct dismissal are mutually exclusive for a “noise-alone” stimulus.

Annotation 2      Task could involve a signal-present or no-signal condition in the case of detection in quiet.