Interactions of lexical status and stimulus dominance effects in dichotic listening

Abstract

Lexical status and stimulus dominance effects in dichotic listening were examined. Stimuli were naturally produced CVC words and nonwords equated for amplitude and duration. Dichotic pairs varying in lexical status and/or initial consonant voicing were recorded in blocks of trials. Groups of eight male and eight female listeners were instructed to identify both stimuli on each trial. Responses for the two groups were analyzed separately for pairs differing on each stimulus dimension. Words were recognized 20% more accurately than nonwords when competing stimuli shared lexical status, and approximately 18% more accurately in either ear when competing stimuli differ in lexical status. Stimuli with initial voiceless consonants were recognized about 5% more accurately than voiced stimuli when pairs shared voicing, and 11% more accurately in either ear on trials when voicing contrasted. The magnitude of lexical status and stimulus dominance effects was approximately 7% greater for females. The pattern of these effects differed for the left and right ears and for males and females. These interactions are discussed in terms of linguistic processing mechanisms and general attentional strategies.