..the rhythm we perceive is a result of the way listeners make two separate types of decisions, one about grouping (which syllables or tones group together) and the other about prominence (which syllables or tones seem foregrounded or backgrounded). These decisions about grouping and prominence mutually inform each other.
Understanding our perception of rhythm
https://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/channels ... thm-331838
The article presents evidence that this so-called “Iambic–Trochaic Law” (ITL) is a consequence of the way listeners parse the signal along two orthogonal dimensions, grouping (Which tone is first/last?) and prominence (Which tone is prominent?).
https://doi.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Frev0000302
JM