Dynamics of auditory spatial attention gradients

Abstract

Auditory spatial attention faces the conflicting demands of focusing on the current task while also rapidly shifting location to unexpected stimuli. We examined the interplay of sustained focus and intermittent shifts in an auditory spatial attention task. Most trials required a choice response from a standard location in virtual space (L-R: −90°, 0°, +90°), but occasionally the location shifted between 45°-180°. Reaction time curves for angular shifts had a quadratic shape, with slowing for small shifts but faster reaction times for larger shifts. The reaction time curves were maintained at faster stimulus rates and usually scaled to fit the range of stimulus locations. However, focus on the right had an attenuated curve, and did not scale to the range of locations. The findings suggest two mechanisms: a top-down bias centered on standard locations that decreases with distance, and a bottom-up bias that under these conditions increases with distance from the standard location.