Cognitive style and order of recall effects in dichotic listening.

Dichotic listening performance (ear preference and accuracy) was examined as a function of cognitive style and order of recall. In replication of earlier work, a right ear preference was found for free and right ear first recall and a left preference for left ear first recall, thus validating the dichotic instrument used. Cognitive style (field dependence, independence) did not show any systematic differential association with ear preference. Accuracy in contrast varied significantly as a function of cognitive style. Field independent subjects were more accurate than their field dependent counterparts; variability appeared to be due to their greater accuracy in left and right ear first recall conditions, with no apparent group differences under free recall. The order of recall factor was without effect here. No differences emerged between males and females in terms of ear preference, accuracy or cognitive style. In addition, no correlation between handedness and ear preference could be ascertained. The observed lack of influence of the cognitive style variable on lateralization patterns is discussed with respect to earlier assertions to the contrary. Current models of dichotic listening are evaluated in terms of all of the above findings.