Estimation of Intersection of Two Converging Targets as a Function of Speed and Angle of Target Movement

Abstract

The investigation examined the effects of target velocity and angle of approach on the accuracy of intersection estimation of two moving targets. An inferred movement display was utilized in which two rows of lights, flashing serially across the display, simulated two moving targets. Five different target velocities and two angles of approach (30° and 90°) were used. The targets were displayed halfway to the actual intersection point. Ss' task was to observe the targets until they disappeared and then indicate when he thought they intersected. Each S was given 100 trials. Raw data in the form of the difference between estimated and actual intersection time were collected and converted to constant and absolute error scores for each trial. In three-factor analysis of variance with repeated measures on 2 variables, target velocity and angle of approach were significant sources of variation. Second-order and third-order interactions between angle, speed, and Ss were also statistically significant. Time estimations were converted to velocity estimates, and standard deviations of estimates were plotted against mean velocity estimates. A linear function was obtained similar to that reported by Brown (1961).