Factors Affecting Accuracy of Producing Time Intervals

Abstract

The present study assessed the accuracy of producing time intervals. 92 subjects were asked to produce three different time intervals (15, 30, and 60 sec.) under six experimental conditions during which they performed concurrent tasks of different cognitive difficulty and requiring different cognitive functions. Real-life working situations guided the design of the experiment. Accuracy of time estimation was significantly affected by the length of the intervals to be produced and the concurrent tasks performed. 15-sec. intervals were more accurately estimated. Accuracy decreased as the cognitive demands of the concurrent tasks increased; subjects systematically overestimated the duration of the intervals. Having an activity requiring time estimation seems to have a positive effect on the accuracy of time estimation. The same was found for certain strategies aiding time estimation which were used spontaneously by certain subjects. No significant difference in the accuracy of estimation between women and men was found.