Influence of stronger attentional manipulations on the processing of dichotic inputs in right-handers

Recent studies have shown that a pronounced right-ear advantage can occur within dichotic tasks when persons of a particular sex are directed to focus their attention onto the right ear. To examine the effects of attentional bias on laterality more precisely, we provided subjects a greater number of focused-ear trials. Analysis indicated a very strong right-ear advantage in men and women under the right-focus condition as well as a significant left-ear advantage for both sexes with directed left-focus. These findings suggest that sustained ear-attendance exerts a powerful influence on dichotic performance.