Abstract
Three experiments are reported which considered an “imputed movement” explanation of the Kappa effect. In Experiment 1, differences in distance had no consistent influence on time judgments when actual, but partial, cues to velocity were present. Experiment 2 showed that with static stimuli, the Kappa effect was stronger when Ss were given instructions enabling them to anticipate the spatial and temporal order of successive stimuli used to delimit time intervals. Experiment 3 showed that when physical distance was held constant apparent distance was important in the Kappa effect. Results are interpreted as suggesting that cues to velocity influence Ss’ judgments of time towards veridicality but, when velocity cues are absent, perceived distance assumes undue importance in the phenomenal relationship between time, distance, and velocity. This results in the Kappa effect.
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The authors wish to thank the Social Science Research Council for supporting this research, D. MacArthur, J. Dodge, and G. Evans for constructing the apparatus and Professor W. Sluckin for his advice on the manuscript.
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Newman, C.V., Lee, S.G. The effect of real and imputed distance on judgments of time: Some experiments on the Kappa phenomenon. Psychon Sci 29, 207–211 (1972). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332829
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03332829