Does the concept of lateralization sufficiently explain dichotic listening performance?
Date
1982
Authors
Mohr, Erich
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Abstract
Three performance dimensions on a verbal dichotic listening (DL) test were investigated. Experiment I assessed DL performance as a function of task difficulty. Accuracy and laterality preference in repeating 2, 3 and 4 word pairs (WP) of dichotic stimuli in English and French were determined in 80 right-handed subjects (Anglophone/Francophone, Male/Female), who were tested in both their native language (NL) and non-native language (OL). Relative performance accuracy decrease as a function of WP (from 2 to 4) and language (NL to CL). Eight lateral preference in turn increased as a function of WP (from 2 to 4) as well as language (NL to OL). Right lateral preference in CL decreased as a function of language proficiency (low to high) .
Experiment II focused on order effects and cognitive processes in the framework of DL. Accuracy and laterality of ear preference in repeating words on a 3 WP DL stimulation
task (NL) under suggestion, (none, left ear better, right ear better) and order of recall (free, left ear first, right ear first) were assessed in 216 right - handed native Englishspeakers (Male/Female). Laterality of ear preference varied significantly as a function of order of recall, with right lateral preference fer free recall and right ear first recall and left lateral preference for left ear first recall. A suggestion effect was not obtained.
Experiment III addressed the issue of DL performance as a function of cognitive style (field dependent (FD)/field independent (FID)) and vulnerability to suggestion (none, left ear better, right ear better, left and right ear equally good). Laterality of ear preference was investigated in 120 right- handed native Anglophones (FD/FID), (Male/Female). Ear preference varied significantly as a function of FD/FID and suggestion. Lateral preference reversal occurred from the neutral suggestion (FD low right lateral preference, FID high right lateral preference) to any of the three suggestion conditions (FD high right lateral preference, FID low right lateral preference) regardless of suggestion content. The implications of
1. task difficulty
2. order and suggestion effects
3. cognitive style
for DL performance were discussed.