Sensitivity vs. Specificity: Sensitivity refers to the rate of which measure?

Prepare for the Forensic Psychology Exam 1. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question has hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Sensitivity vs. Specificity: Sensitivity refers to the rate of which measure?

Explanation:
Sensitivity measures the test’s ability to correctly identify people who have the condition. It is the true positive rate—among those who truly have the condition, what fraction test positive. In formula terms, sensitivity = true positives / (true positives + false negatives). A high sensitivity means few false negatives, so the test catches most actual cases. This is different from specificity, which is about correctly ruling out those without the condition (true negatives).

Sensitivity measures the test’s ability to correctly identify people who have the condition. It is the true positive rate—among those who truly have the condition, what fraction test positive. In formula terms, sensitivity = true positives / (true positives + false negatives). A high sensitivity means few false negatives, so the test catches most actual cases. This is different from specificity, which is about correctly ruling out those without the condition (true negatives).

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