Hemispheric sensitivity to spatial frequencies

Abstract

This experiment examined possible hemispheric differences in sensitivity to spatial frequencies. The experiment comprised two reaction-time tasks, the same- different matching of gratings and the enumeration of bars within a grating. Although little evidence was found for an interaction between visual field of presentation and spatial frequency, the obtained field differences always favored a left visual field advantage. In addition, such an advantage was found regardless of whether the processing took place at apparent sensory or at cognitive levels. It is concluded that prior studies supporting the theory of hemispheric asymmetry in spatial-frequency processing are methodologically insufficient, and that any further such research efforts should include a focus on higher frequencies and on stimulus degradation effects.