The effect of payoffs and cue tones on detection of sinusoids of uncertain frequency

Previous Es, attempting to distinguish between the single and multiple band models of detection, have found that for some Ss the effective listening band is narrow and for others it is not. As in previous experiments, we ask Ss to detect sinusoids of various frequencies in a continuous background noise. However, we influence detection patterns by presenting cue tones and varying payoffs. In some conditions, the S’s detection performance as a function of signal frequency is so peaked that we can estimate the critical bandwidth. In other conditions, the same Ss produce flat detection contours. We interpret these different detection patterns as reflecting changes in the S’s listening strategy. It is argued that differences in listening strategy are responsible for the conflicting results found in earlier studies.