Thesis
Effects of longer intervals and complex tasks on time estimation abilities across the adult lifespan
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100802
Abstract
Mechanisms involved in the estimation of short durations of time (ranging from milliseconds to minutes) have been well-established, but it remains unclear whether such mechanisms are involved when intervals extend past the traditionally studied 2-minute mark. Using a dynamic prospective verbal time estimation task, we captured the performance of younger and older adults as they estimated "short" (2 to 8 minutes) and "long" (9 to 15 minutes) time intervals. In line with past research using shorter intervals and classical time estimation procedures, short intervals were perceived as being proportionally longer, and were associated with greater estimate error and estimate variability compared to long intervals. In addition, intervals were generally overestimated. These findings were consistent for both age groups and may reflect either the exhibition of Vierordt's Law at longer durations or a switch from consistent underestimation of time in the seconds to minutes range to overestimation at longer durations. Consistent with theories on aging and time perception, older adults also consistently provided lower (shorter) estimates than younger adults but had similar levels of estimate variability regardless of interval length, supporting the theory that aging results in a slower (but not more variable) clock speed. As found in past studies using shorter intervals, neuropsychological measures and time estimation abilities were not significantly correlated, suggesting that the involvement and influence of these different cognitive processes could not be captured with the measures included in this study. Taken together, our results suggest that normal aging may not significantly impact time estimation abilities, and that there may be a shift from consistent underestimation to overestimation when prospectively estimating longer, more naturalistic durations of time that are filled with more complex and naturalistic tasks.
Metrics
5 File views/ downloads
16 Record Views
Details
- Title
- Effects of longer intervals and complex tasks on time estimation abilities across the adult lifespan
- Creators
- Rachel Anne Braley
- Contributors
- Maureen Schmitter-Edgecombe (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Psychology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525034101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis