Cerebral asymmetry in time perception

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1977

Publication Source

Perception & Psychophysics

Abstract

Eighteen right-handed male subjects estimated the duration of dot patterns of varying numerosity which were briefly flashed to the left and right visual fields. The mean judged duration of patterns flashed to the left visual field was significantly less than the mean judged duration of patterns flashed to the right visual field. However, the duration of all patterns was underestimated, regardless of visual field. In addition, apparent duration increased linearly when plotted as a function of log duration and increased monotonically when plotted as a function of stimulus numerosity. Overall accuracy was nearly equivalent in both visual fields, but there were interactions between actual durations and visual field and between numerosity and visual field. Thomas and Weaver’s (1975) model for time perception is applied to the data, and it is suggested that the left hemisphere relies on a timer to estimate duration, while the right hemisphere relies on a visual information processor to estimate duration.

Inclusive pages

187-192

ISBN/ISSN

1943-3921

Volume

21

Peer Reviewed

yes

Keywords

Cerebral Asymmetry, Time Perception, Perceived Duration


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