Multiple approaches to investigate the existence of an internal clock using attentional resources

The attentional model of time estimation assumes that specific mechanisms are involved when subjects explicitly process temporal information. Temporal judgments would depend on the amount of attentional resources allocated to a temporal processor (also called timer). The present paper provides some evidence in favor of the existence of such a processor. The first part shows the importance of attention for an efficient functioning of the timer, based on a cumulative mechanism. The second part is centered on the slow brain potential changes recorded over the scalp when subjects focus their attention on the temporal parameters of a task. The main result is the existence of a relationship between the amplitude of the brain waves and the temporal performances.

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