Abstract
Interval timing is a fundamental component of action and is susceptible to motor-related temporal distortions. Previous studies have shown that concurrent movement biases temporal estimates, but have primarily considered self-modulated movement only. However, real-world encounters often include situations in which movement is restricted or perturbed by environmental factors. In the following experiments, we introduced viscous movement environments to externally modulate movement and investigated the resulting effects on temporal perception. In two separate tasks, participants timed auditory intervals while moving a robotic arm that randomly applied four levels of viscosity. Results demonstrated that higher viscosity led to shorter perceived durations. Using a drift-diffusion model and a Bayesian observer model, we confirmed these biasing effects arose from perceptual mechanisms, instead of biases in decision making. These findings suggest that environmental perturbations are an important factor in movement-related temporal distortions, and enhance the current understanding of the interactions of motor activity and cognitive processes.
Highlights
Interval timing is an essential part of survival for organisms living in an environment with rich temporal dynamics
Consistent with this strategy, we found that the relative location of the hand at interval offset was closer to the short target for intervals at or under the middle of the stimulus set, but rapidly moved closer to the long target for longer intervals [F(6,162) =4.791, p < 0.001, h2p=0.151] (Figure 1—figure supplement 1A)
One possible explanation for this lack of an effect is that the introduction of viscosity altered the optimal positional strategy across participants; external movement perturbation on choice reaching tasks similar to this one reveal that movement strategies change in response to additional effort (Burk et al, 2014)
Summary
Interval timing is an essential part of survival for organisms living in an environment with rich temporal dynamics. As described by Matthews and Meck, 2016, temporal distortions can arise from changes in perception, attention, and memory processes, and are proposed to be directly related to the vividness and ease of representation of a timed event. It has been shown that subjective time on the scale of milliseconds to seconds is influenced by movement duration (Yon et al, 2017), speed (Yokosaka et al, 2015), and direction (Tomassini and Morrone, 2016). Timed events accompanied by arm movements that are short (Yon et al, 2017), rapid (Yokosaka et al, 2015), or directed toward the body (Tomassini and Morrone, 2016) undergo compression
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
