Numbers in short-term memory bias auditory spatial perception

The cognitive penetration literature suggests that top-down knowledge influences perception, but whether such influences exist is controversial. We tested for top-down influences on perception by loading short-term memory with digits and then had participants make perceptual judgments to index spatial hearing. Memory of spatial number codes were predicted to bias spatial judgments to the left for small digits and rightward for larger digits. Participants encoded one or more digits and then made spatial judgments in either spatial hearing or dichotic listening tasks. Results across five experiments supported the predicted spatial biases. Digits had to be deliberately encoded, and at least two were needed to be memorized before a small number left-right bias in dichotic listening was evident. In dichotic listening, smaller numbers in memory also promoted more intrusions, and a mix of small and large numbers enhanced the right ear advantage. Results suggest that long-term knowledge about number magnitude imparts a top-down bias on auditory spatial perception. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).