The estimation of time: A developmental perspective

Journal/Book: Annee Psychol. 2000; 100: Dept Des Revues 14, Avenue du Bois-de-L Epine B P 90, 91003 Evry Cedex, France. Presses Univ France. 443-464.

Abstract: psychologists ceased debating the subjective and objective experience of time 10 years ago due to the findings of experiments suggesting that an internal clock is devoted to the treatment of temporal information in animals as well as human adults. Nevertheless, in the face of 1- to 6-year-old children's inaccurate temporal judgements, this discussion continued in developmental psychology. In particular, a dissociation has been established between the first forms of temporal experience in infants (temporal discrimination, temporal conditioning) and the adult-like representation of time. Recent studies reveal that 3-year-olds are also able to judge precisely time, but only under particular experimental conditions (filled duration, simultaneous imitation...). Thus, 3-year-olds representation of time differs clearly from older children's notion of time. It appears that 3-year-olds possess a highly concrete sense of time that is specific to each action or experienced event.

Note: Article Droit-Volet S, Univ Blaise Pascal, CNRS, UPRESA 6024, Lab Psychol Sociale Cognit, 34 Ave Carnot, F-63037 Clermont Ferrand, FRANCE

Keyword(s): time; development; representation; YOUNG-CHILDREN; INTERMITTENT STIMULI; 6-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN; DURATION ESTIMATION; RESPONSE DURATION; VERBAL-BEHAVIOR; EXTERNAL CLOCK; 4-1/2-YEAR-OLD; PERCEPTION; ATTENTION

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