Timing Estimation Performance Research Articles

Time Estimation Performance Before, during and after Physical Activity

An experiment is reported which evaluated performance on a 10-sec time interval estimation task before, during and after physical work on cycle ergometer at intensities of 30 and 60% VO2max, as scaled to the individual subject. Results from the eleven subjects tested indicate a significant increase in variability of estimates during exercise compared to non-exercise phases. Such a trend was also seen in the mean of estimates, where subjects significantly underestimated the target interval (10 seconds) during exercise. Subjects also performed more accurately with information feedback than without knowledge of results, but they were still not able to overcome the effects of exercise. As suggested by the experimental findings, decreased estimation accuracy and increased variability can be expected during physical work and is part of a body of evidence which indicates that exercise and its severity has a substantive impact on perceptual and cognitive performance.

Human time estimation: Procedural effects

The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the effects of various trial procedures on human time estimation. Four different procedures were used: (1) experimenter-paced intertrial interval/experimenter-paced retention interval, (2) self-paced intertrial interval/experimenterpaced retention interval, (3) experimenter-paced intertrial interval/self-paced retention interval, and (4) self-paced intertrial interval/self-paced retention interval. Auditory time lengths of 1, 4, and 8 sec were estimated by the method of reproduction. Results showed that the two self-paced retention interval conditions produced a typical range effect in that the 1-sec criterion duration was overestimated and the 4- and 8-sec durations were underestimated. In addition, the two homogeneous trial conditions (i.e., procedures 1 and 4 above) produced more accurate time estimation performance than did the two heterogeneous conditions. Variable error increased as the duration of the time to be estimated increased, and subjects were more variable under the two experimenter-paced retention interval conditions than under the two self-paced conditions. We concluded that the self-paced intertrial interval/self-paced retention interval condition seems to be the best procedure to maximize time-estimation performance.

An examination of self-pacing procedures in human time estimation.

The main purpose of the present research was to investigate the role of self-pacing trial procedures in time estimation. Auditory durations of 1, 4, and 8 sec. were estimated by 12 subjects under the method of reproduction. Different features of performance were investigated using several dependent variables. When left to themselves, subjects chose a relatively short intertrial interval, the duration of which did not differ across the three criterion durations. This finding seemed best explained as an attempt by the subjects to minimize boredom and maximize alertness. Also, subjects waited for a short time before reproducing the criterion duration, and again this period did not differ across the three criterion durations. A significant relationship was found between the duration of the self-paced intertrial interval and self-paced retention interval for all criterion durations. It appeared that subjects were attempting to maximize their time-estimation performance by either minimizing the retention interval or by developing a trial-interval rhythm. Finally, subjects were more variable in their estimates as the criterion duration increased.

Anxiety as a factor in underwater performance.

Thirty-two divers were divided into four groups. Each group made one dive to 6 m or 30 m in day or night conditions. Measures of manual dexterity, time estimation and cognitive performance were obtained on the surface and under water. Heart and respiration rate were monitored prior to water entry and during the dive. A self-report anxiety questionnaire was presented before and after the dive. Heart rate dropped under water in the 6 m groups and rose in the 30 m groups while respiration rate remained elevated throughout. Self-report anxiety fell in the 6 m groups and increased in the 30 m groups. A 14–30% decrement occurred in manual dexterity at 6 m and a 45–47% decrement at 30m. Cognitive performance improved at 6 m but there was a 26–36% decrement at 30 m. While time estimation varied widely on the surface all groups tended to overestimate a time standard under water in comparison with the surface. The results support the notion that anxiety is a contributory factor in the decrement of performance under...

Physiological and psychological effects of progesterone in man.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that fluctuations in progesterone levels can account for the psychophysiological changes occurring during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. In order to avoid the confounding of endogenous and exogenously administered progesterone as might occur in women, we gave progesterone to normal men and studied the time course of its effects under controlled conditions. Progesterone (10 mg/day) was administered daily to six men during either the second or third week (double blind) of a 4− to 4$$-week period. On 4 days per week a 20− to 25-minute testing procedure was carried out in which skin conductance (SC), heart rate (HR), and respiration were recorded continuously during rest, presentation of mild tones, and performance of time estimation and reaction time tasks. Body temperature was taken before arising in the morning and a mood scale was given daily. Results showed a significant rise in temperature and reaction time and decrease in HR variability during progesterone administration which returned to baseline soon after stopping drug intake. Significant decreases in SC level and increases in the “sluggishness” of spontaneous and elicited SC responses persisted for a week postdrug. Expected increases in base HR and respiration rate and changes in mood were not observed to a significant degree. The data only partially support the progesterone hypothesis of premenstrual tension and suggest that the role of estrogen or some other hormone may be important. It is suggested that differential recovery of different physiological symptoms may be related to the psychological symptoms following progesterone withdrawal.

Accurate performance of a time-estimation task in relation to sex, age, and personality variables.

The accuracy with which a rate of digit count was estimated as 1 digit/sec. was assessed in relation to the sex, age, and selected personality characteristics of Ss Marginally significant relationships between time-estimation accuracy data and age were found for each sex. Women tended to be slightly less accurate and more variable in their estimations than men. Few scores derived from the 16 PF Questionnaire were associated with time-estimation accuracy. The findings serve to confirm the inconsistencies existing in the time-estimation literature and point to the necessity of further research examining the interaction of variables before a theory relating personality characteristics to time-estimation performance may be attempted.