From temporal sensitivity to models of temporal organization: Hypotheses and data on the acquisition of temporal abilities

Author(s): Baruch, C.

Journal/Book: Annee Psychol. 1995; 95: Dept Des Revues, 14, Avenue du Bois-de-L'Epine, B.P. 90, 91003 Evry, France. Presses Univ France. 555-569.

Abstract: Current research in the field of time perception has been greatly influenced by pioneering investigations carried out over the last fifty years by Paul Fraisse. We demonstrate how contemporary models of auditory perception and cognition, in particular the Dynamic Attending Theory proposed by Jones and Boltz (1989), incorporate several of his ideas and experimental findings. This theory models how listeners are able to follow complex auditory sequences in real time by extracting temporal regularities from what they have already heard and by using this information to create expectations about what will happen in the future. Future events that correspond to these expectations are processed preferentially. We provide new experimental evidence in favor of two predictions that derive from this theory about how these abilities are acquired. First, we demonstrate that younger children focus spontaneously on faster occurring events than older children or adults. Second, we show that older children become increasingly able to focus on events occurring at rates further from their spontaneous referent level. The implications of these results for models of auditory perception and cognition are discussed.

Note: Article C Drake, Univ Paris 05, CNRS Ura 316, Exptl Psychol Lab, Equipe Percept Audit, 28 Rue Serpente, F-75006 Paris, France

Keyword(s): temporal sensitivity; auditory temporal organization; development; TIME

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