A physiological monitoring system may determine a probe-off condition. A physiological sensor may receive a light signal including one or more wavelengths of light. The received light signal may be processed to obtain a light signal corresponding to an ambient light signal and a light signal corresponding to an emitted light signal and the ambient light signal. The signals may be analyzed to identify an inverse effect. The system may determine whether the physiological sensor is properly positioned based on the identification of an inverse effect.