Methods
Participants
Tasks
Participants performed two tasks: in one task participants had to estimate a temporal interval (of duration X seconds); in the second task participants made an expanded judgment under time pressure (deadline after x seconds).
Timing Task
During the timing task, participants had to estimate a temporal interval of duration x seconds by pressing the space bar two times. Participants received feedback of their estimation accuracy. In this part of the experiment, participants had to learn how long seconds take by doing a task. Trials consist of three stages:
- When the + sign appears, participants can start the time interval by pressing the space bar;
- When the circle appears, time is running. When participants think that their given seconds have passed, they have to press the space bar again;
- Participants receive feedback for how accurate they have been (Fig. metti figura dal dropbox)
If the middle circle lights green, participant estimated the interval perfectly. If one of the left circles light up, you were too fast. If one of the right circles light up, the participant was too slow.
Participants played 10 practice trials and how many. Participants were warned that, when estimating the time duration, they were not allowed to count time or tap their fingers or feet.
Choice Task 1
In this task, participants need to decide which of the two flashing circles flashes most often by pressing x if they thought the left circle flashes most often, or m if they think the right circle flashes most often. Participants played 10 practice trials and were asked to respond as fast as possible without making any mistake. The computer automatically times out after 8 seconds of no response. After the practice phase, participants repeated this task for 250 trials. Participants received feedback for 0.50s after each decision.
In the next trials, you will repeat the flashing circles-task until you reach 150 points. Press ' + str($key_options[0]) + ' if you think the left circle flashes most often, or ' + str($key_options[1]) + ' if you think the right circle flashes most.\
\n\
\nYou receive 1 point for each correct answer, and lose 1 point for each incorrect answer.\
\n\nHowever, there is a deadline: if ' + str(np.round($deadlineTime,2)) + ' seconds pass and you still have not answered, you lose 3 points.\nNote that this is the same time duration as you learned to estimate in the previous phase!\
\n\
\nYou will see your total score after every ' + str($nChoiceTrials) + ' trials. You can then take a short break if you wish.\
\n\nPress <space> to continue to next instruction screen'
Operationalization
The dependent measures are the standard deviation of estimated duration of the interval and mean RTs, Accuracy, Skewness, CAF slope.