Abstract
Data are presented from a magnitude estimation study of temporal intervals. The individual subject data do not support the lognormal model of error. Many of the response distributions are negatively skewed,and, in general, the variance of the log responses decreases with stimulus duration. The fit of the two-parameter power function, obtained using nonlinear estimation, is compared with the fit obtained using linear least squares in log-log coordinates. Nonlinear estimation provides a better description of the individual subject data and yields estimates of the exponent which are closer to 1.00. The addition of a third parameter brings the exponents very close to 1.00. It is concluded that, since the value of the power function exponent depends upon the curve-fitting procedure used, magnitude estimation data do not provide compelling evidence against a linear psychophysical function for time.
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This investigation was supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Cem Kaner ran the subjects and carried out many of the statistical analyses. The data described in this paper are those referred to in Note 3 in Allan(1979).
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Allan, L.G. Magnitude estimation of temporal intervals. Perception & Psychophysics 33, 29–42 (1983). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205863
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03205863