Distorting visual space with sound

Attentional repulsion is described as the perceived displacement of a vernier stimulus in a direction that is opposite to a brief peripheral visual cue (Suzuki & Cavanagh, 1997). Here, we demonstrate that visual repulsion can also be elicited using lateralized sounds. Given that repulsion is believed to be occurring in early retinotopic visual areas, these results raise the possibility that the location of a sound could directly influence the pattern of activity as early as primary visual cortex.