Abstract
Previous work has shown that symmetrical stimuli are judged as lasting longer than asymmetrical ones, even when actual duration is matched. This effect has been replicated with different methods and stimuli types. We aimed to a) replicate the effect of symmetry on subjective duration, and b) assess whether it was further modulated by the number of symmetrical axes. There was no evidence for either effect. This null result cannot be explained by reduced statistical power or enhanced floor or ceiling effects. There is no obvious stimulus-based explanation either. However, we are mindful of the reproducibility crisis and file drawer problems in psychology. Other symmetry and time perception researchers should be aware of this null result. One possibility is that the effect of symmetry on subjective duration is limited to very specific experimental paradigms.
Highlights
IntroductionThe scientific value of null resultsMany leading researchers doubt general trustworthiness of peer-reviewed science [1, 2]
The scientific value of null resultsMany leading researchers doubt general trustworthiness of peer-reviewed science [1, 2]
There was no evidence that reflectional symmetry dot patterns were judged as lasting longer than random dot patterns, and no evidence that this effect was further modulated by the number of folds
Summary
The scientific value of null resultsMany leading researchers doubt general trustworthiness of peer-reviewed science [1, 2]. Psychology faces acute criticism because scientific malpractice is allegedly routine, and because there have been famous attempts to estimate reproducibility. Just 39% of published results in psychology are reproducible, and this only increases 51% in cognitive psychology [3]. The proverbial file drawer accumulates null results, and the literature accumulates false positives (alongside the real effects). Even without blatant data fraud, p-hacking or HARKing (Hypothesising After Results Known), the published record is likely biased towards ‘lucky’ experiments that overestimate true effect size [4]. Such systemic problems have been obvious for decades, but conveniently ignored
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