Signal Pulse-Rate and Judged Duration
Theories which construct perception of time from content of input predict monotonic functions of rate-judged duration of stimuli, and do not account for intersensory differences. Two experiments required Ss to compare directly the durations of paired lights or sounds pulsed at various rates to produce discriminable beats and flickers (6.0, 10.0, 14.0 Hz), and steady signals. Pulsed lights, not sounds, were judged longer than steady, and this visual effect was identical for all flicker rates. Faster pulsed sounds and lights were judged longer than slower ones for all frequency combinations except for 10.0- to 14.0-Hz comparisons with vision. No monotonic function of rate-judged durations of pulses was obtained; the effect was all-or-none. Although pulse rate did affect judged duration, neither simple functions nor symmetry across senses was found.