Time Perception and Schizophrenia

Abstract

Time perception of 10 schizophrenic patients, 10 nonschizophrenic patients, and 10 normal subjects was compared. The method of estimation was used for four intervals ranging from 5 sec. to 120 sec.; the subject was required to perform a certain task until the experimenter stopped the subject and then to estimate the length of time spent working on the particular task. The results show significant differences between schizophrenics and other subjects in the judgment of 5-sec. and 15-sec. intervals. The results partially confirm previous findings and suggest other possible trends not previously reported.