Bimodal frequency distributions induce a 'dual spotlight' in tone detection¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · causal r2 · q3
Currency · newest study 2025 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q3 i? In Exp 1e-f, listeners detect the two higher-probability edge tones (800 and 1200 Hz) more accurately than neighboring low-probability tones, producing a 'W' rather than a 'V' detection profile. → Luthra 2025

Evidence¶

Luthra 2025¶

Luthra, S., Luor, A., Tierney, A. T., Dick, F., & Holt, L. L. (2025). Statistical learning dynamically shapes auditory perception. npj Science of Learning. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-025-00328-z

q3 · i? · causal · r2

Exp 1e (bimodal, 40.6% at 800 and 1200 Hz edges) showed a linear contrast favoring edge tones over neighbors (p = 3.59e-5, d = 0.757); Exp 1f replicated the dual spotlight with a changed threshold-setting frequency (p = 4.62e-8, d = 0.985), falsifying an account based on threshold-procedure exposure to 1000 Hz.

"Lis-teners detect the higher-probability tones more accurately than neighboring low-probability tones (920 and 1080 Hz, linear contrast, Bonferroni-corrected p = 3.590 × 10−5,C o h e n's d = 0.757)"

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Distributional learning modulates tone detection in noise, with better detection of high-probability frequencies — a broader claim this one bears on
• Graded proximity effects: equiprobable rare tones near a distribution mode are detected better than distant ones — related
• Distributional learning across a task-irrelevant dimension slows duration decisions for low-probability frequencies — related