Recognition memory for dichotically presented word pairs in right- and left-handed males

Using a two-forced-choice procedure, subjects were required to recognize words presented dichotically to the right and left ears. Right-handers recognized significantly more of the input to the right ear and familial left-handers recognized significantly more of the input to the left ear. However, when subjects were required to selectively monitor one channel or the other, any ear advantage disappears. It is argued that ear advantages in remembering dichotically presented material do not directly indicate underlying hemispheric specialization. Rather a majority of subjects show a slight bias to attend to speech on the ear contralateral to the speech hemisphere.