We showed previously that when time intervals around two seconds (s) are reproduced concurrently with a memory task, intervals are positively related to duration of memory processing. However, some data in research on timing as well as in memory research suggest that 2 s might be a critical duration beyond which different mechanisms or structures would support performance. This implies that the interference observed between memory processing and 2-s productions could be specific to these durations, and would not be obtained with longer durations. In this experiment, intervals ranging from 1.85 to 6.45 s were reproduced by participants, who were searching simultaneously for a memory probe. At all durations, reproductions were positively related to memory set size. These findings have implications with regards to previous research indicating a discontinuity around 2-3 s in time perception. They suggest in particular that the role of memory is similar in reproduction of durations around 2 s and of longer durations.
[1]
W. Wundt,et al.
Grundzüge der physiologischen psyhcologie
,
1893
.
[2]
R. Ornstein,et al.
The experience of time
,
1986
.
[3]
W. James,et al.
The Principles of Psychology.
,
1983
.
[4]
M. P. Friedman,et al.
HANDBOOK OF PERCEPTION
,
1977
.
[5]
Gordon D. A. Brown,et al.
Short-term/working memory : a special issue of the International Journal of Psychology
,
1999
.
[6]
J. Gibbon,et al.
Timing and time perception.
,
1984,
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.
[7]
L. H. Stott.
The discrimination of short tonal durations
,
1933
.
[8]
W. Kintsch,et al.
Memory and cognition
,
1977
.