A model system exhibiting a large number of attractors is investigated unde
r the influence of noise. Several methods for discriminating two qualitativ
ely different regions of the noise intensity are presented, and the phenome
non of noise-induced preference of attractors is reported. Finally, the rel
evance of our findings for detection of multiple stable states of systems o
ccurring in nature or in the laboratory is pointed out. [S1063-651X(99)0140
5-1].