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The spoon illusion: A consistent rearward bias in human sound localisation
EunJi Baek1, Min Hee Shim1, Ecem Altan1
1School of Optometry & Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Perception
|November 19, 2025
Summary
Humans use two ears for sound localization. In a blindfolded experiment, participants misperceived sounds originating in front as coming from behind, revealing limitations in auditory spatial perception.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Human Perception
Background:
- Humans rely on binaural cues from two ears for sound localization.
- Auditory spatial perception is complex and can be influenced by experimental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the accuracy of sound localization in blindfolded humans.
- To identify potential biases or errors in auditory spatial perception.
Main Methods:
- Participants were blindfolded and asked to identify the location of sounds.
- A specific sound stimulus (two spoons being hit) was presented.
Main Results:
- A consistent misperception occurred where sounds presented in front were localized behind the participants.
- This suggests a specific directional bias in auditory spatial processing under these conditions.
Conclusions:
- The human auditory system may exhibit unexpected biases in sound localization, particularly in the front-back dimension.
- Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these perceptual errors.
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