Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
13:51
Cross-Modal Multivariate Pattern Analysis
Published on: November 9, 2011
Coactive processing of dimensionally redundant targets within the auditory modality?
Anja Fiedler1, Hannes Schröter, Rolf Ulrich
1University of Tübingen, Germany. anja.fiedler@uni-tuebingen.de
Experimental Psychology
|May 25, 2010
Summary
This study found that auditory reaction times to redundant targets, differing in location and frequency, were faster than predicted by statistical chance. This indicates a combined activation of auditory stimulus dimensions, similar to visual processing.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Human Factors
Background:
- Previous research identified coactivation in visual processing for stimuli varying in multiple dimensions.
- Coactivation explains faster reaction times when stimuli share multiple features.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if similar coactivation processes occur in the auditory modality.
- To examine auditory reaction time effects for stimuli differing in location and frequency.
Main Methods:
- A Go/NoGo experiment was conducted using auditory stimuli.
- Tones varied in location (e.g., left) and frequency (e.g., 200 Hz).
- Participants responded to specific target locations and/or frequencies.
Main Results:
- A significant redundant-target effect (RTE) was observed for auditory stimuli.
- The observed RTE exceeded levels attributable to statistical facilitation alone.
- This suggests redundant auditory targets are processed via combined dimension activation.
Conclusions:
- Auditory coactivation processes, analogous to those in vision, are demonstrated.
- Findings support the modular hybrid account of stimulus processing.
- This provides evidence for integrated dimension processing in the auditory system.
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