Testing a Quantitative Model of Time Estimation in a Load-Switch Scenario

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Abstract

A model of prospective time estimation was tested in two experimental variations which examine the influence of load switch in task demands on time estimation. The model predicts these influences on time estimates by means of memory processes such as spreading activation. The approach was integrated into a cognitive architecture and has previously been tested successfully. In two experiments participants had to work on a counting task with different levels of working memory demands (High/Low). The participants had to stop each trial after a perceived duration of a previously presented sample of 100 seconds (altered reproduction method) and received feedback. In the Low group most trials were performed in low load and one or two trials in high load (load switch), and vice versa for the High group. For the Low group the model predicts overestimations at load switches, but underestimations for the High group. We found that the model predictions in the first experiment only match the experimental results for the Low group, most probably due to the experimental design. In the second experiment, the design was therefore slightly changed and the timing task was embedded into a manual control task within a microworld environment. In this setting the model predictions match the time estimates for both groups. The series of experiments reported give strong evidence that the model is able to capture and to predict influences of task demands on time-estimates. The timing model may be used as a base for modeling subjective temporal reasoning and the timing of interaction with a dynamic system.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages348-353
Number of pages6
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Peer-reviewedYes

Conference

Title9th International Conference on Cognitive Modeling, ICCM 2009
Duration24 - 26 July 2009

External IDs

ORCID /0000-0001-5165-4459/work/174432576

Keywords

Research priority areas of TU Dresden

DFG Classification of Subject Areas according to Review Boards

Subject groups, research areas, subject areas according to Destatis

Keywords

  • cognitive modeling, coordinative working memory, feedback, memory processes, spreading activation, Time estimation