Abstract
The attentional repulsion effect refers to the perceived displacement of a Vernier stimulus in a direction that is opposite to a brief peripheral visual cue (Suzuki & Cavanagh, 1997, JEP:HPP, 23, 433–63). The present study assessed whether a spatial auditory cue would also elicit the repulsion effect. Broadband noisebursts located −18, 0, or +18 degrees along the azimuth and at an elevation equal to that of the uppermost line of the Vernier stimulus were presented 100 or 150 ms prior to the presentation of the Vernier display. In a forced-choice procedure, observers were more likely to judge vertically aligned Vernier displays as being displaced in a direction that was opposite to the lateralized sounds. Interestingly, this repulsion effect was strongest when the preceding sound came from the left rather than the right hemifield, suggesting that brief auditory events in left hemispace have a more deleterious effect on difficult visual spatial judgements.
funded by Canadian Institute for Health Research