Time perception and the filled-duration illusion

Abstract

A reproduction design is used to show that temporal intervals containing brief tones appear longer than empty intervals of the same duration, the effect being independent of duration. These and previous data are discussed within a theoretical framework which allows for the interrelation of data from different time perception tasks; and a reversible encoding model is stated which accounts for much of the data obtained with empty intervals. A "chunking" model, in which tones occurring in an interval serve to segment the interval during encoding, can account for the filled-duration illusion if certain conditions are met. Finally, mechanisms that are consistent with these conditions are stated.

Interval estimation: Effect of processing demands on prospective and retrospective reports

“…As predicted, interval estimates in the graphemic condition were an increasing function of list length. It is noteworthy that the increasing function obtained in the present graphemic condition is similar to the results of previous prospective studies (Buffardi, 1971;Craig, 1973;Mo, 1975;Thomas & Brown, 1974), which used nonverbal stimuli and required no active processing during the interval.…”

“…In one set of studies (Bakan, 1955; Burnside, 1971;Curton & Lordahl, 1974;DeWolfe & Duncan, 1959;Hicks & Brundige, 1974;McKay, 1977; Vroon, 1970), estimates decreased as the amount of information presented during the interval increased. The second set of studies (Aitken & Gedye, 1968; Buffardi, 1971;Craig, 1973; Mo, 1975; Thomas & Brown, 1974) produced the filled-duration illusion-intervals filled with nonverbal stimuli such as lights or tones were A summary of this paper was presented at the American Psychological Association convention, Washington, D,C., August 1982. I thank Linda Lawrence for assistance in running subjects.…”

“…Although Thomas and Brown (1974) provided a detailed theoretical account of the fIlled-duration illusion, Hicks (Hicks et al, 1976;Hicks, Miller, Gaes, & Bierman, 1977;Miller, Hicks, & Willette, 1978) proposed a model of prospective interval estimation which accounted for both sets of data. Subjective duration is assumed to increase with the subject's attention to time.…”

Factors affecting the haptic filled-space illusion for dynamic touch

“…The illusion has been shown for the auditory modality (clicks and continuous tones), visual modality (Xashes and continuous light), and tactile modality (vibrations applied to the index Wnger; short bursts or continuous vibrations). Thomas and Brown (1974) used diVerent frequencies for end point tones and Wller tones, and BuVardi (1971) showed that overestimations increase with the number of Wller elements in all three modalities. Thus, if the haptic Wlled-space illusion for dynamic touch is essentially a variant of the Wlled-duration illusion, the inXuence of Wller density in the former case must have a temporal character.…”

“…A number of studies have reported a Wlled-duration illusion, i.e., Wlled time intervals judged longer than empty ones (BuVardi 1971;Craig 1973;Goldstone and Goldfarb 1963;Grimm 1934;Otto Roelofs and Zeeman 1951;Thomas and Brown 1974). The illusion has been shown for the auditory modality (clicks and continuous tones), visual modality (Xashes and continuous light), and tactile modality (vibrations applied to the index Wnger; short bursts or continuous vibrations).…”