Distributional learning across a task-irrelevant dimension slows duration decisions for low-probability frequencies¶

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? The probability of a tone's task-irrelevant frequency significantly impacts the speed of duration decisions, with RTs slower for low- than high-probability frequencies, graded by distance from the mode. → 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

In Exp 2a-c (400-trial duration decisions, 50/90 ms tones equiprobable, frequency 80% vs 5% trials), tone frequency probability significantly affected RTs (η² = 0.017). Adjacent low-probability frequencies were slower than the mode (d = 0.387), and far frequencies slower still (d = 0.258).

"Response times (RTs) are slower for tones with low, compared to high, probability frequencies (linear contrast, unpooled error, p = 1.628 × 10−17,C o h e n's d = 0.516)"

Discussion¶

Learner Variables¶

• Processing Speed — outcome: instruction changes it

Related Claims¶

• Distributional learning modulates tone detection in noise, with better detection of high-probability frequencies — related
• Distributional learning exhibits hysteresis, with prior distributions influencing judgments after distributions change — related
• A novel frequency-duration bias: lower frequencies are perceived as longer and higher as shorter — related
• Graded proximity effects: equiprobable rare tones near a distribution mode are detected better than distant ones — related
• Perceptual sensitivity and decisions rapidly update in volatile statistical contexts — related
• Bimodal frequency distributions induce a 'dual spotlight' in tone detection — related