The "forced-attention paradigm" in dichotic listening to CV-syllables: a comparison between adults and children

The present study was concerned with the effects of directional attention on the right-ear-advantage (REA) in dichotic listening. It was suggested that if selective attention contributes to the REA during a non-forced, free recall condition, then comparing the unattended left and right ear scores when attention is forced to the right and the left ear, respectively, would yield an "attention-free" estimate of the REA. Each subject participated in a non-forced, free recall, condition; in a forced-right condition; and in a forced-left condition. During the two forced conditions, subjects were instructed to only attend to and report the right and left ear inputs, respectively. The stimuli were the six stop-consonants paired with the vowel a. Four right-handed groups participated (N = 18): Adult males, adult females, boys (8-9 years), girls (8-9 years). The results showed a significant REA in all groups during the non-forced condition. During the forced-right condition, significantly more correct recalls were obtained from the right compared to the left ear in all groups. During the forced-left condition, significantly more correct recalls from the left compared to the right ear was obtained only in the two adult groups, but not in the children groups. Finally, comparing correct recalls from the unattended right ear (during the forced-left condition) with the unattended left ear (during the forced-right condition) revealed a significant REA in all groups except for the adult females.