Laterality differences in memory scanning

Abstract

Ear differences were demonstrated in the performance of a memory scanning task involving monaurally-presented digit stimuli. The ear differences interacted with responding hand such that right-hand Yes responses and left-hand No responses resulted in a right-ear advantage, while left-hand Yes responses and right-hand No responses resulted in a left-ear advantage. This response pattern did not alter when word-and digit-probe stimuli were presented in a mixed list. It was concluded that the pattern of ear differences reflected stimulus-response compatibility and incompatibility, some pairings of stimulus and response reliably producing faster reaction times than others. When all trials were made compatible, no ear differences were obtained. The results indicate that lateral performance differences can sometimes be explained other than by cerebral asymmetry.