The Audio-visual Modality Effect In Time Perception

The role of non-temporal signal characteristics on time perception is an important issue in the study of interval timing. Some of the non-temporal characteristics studied to date include whether duration is in milliseconds or seconds range; whether duration is filled or empty; the intensity, modality, or pitch of the signal; and the cognitive load experienced during the task. Audio-visual modality effect has found that auditory signals are judged longer than equivalent duration visual signals. Audio-visual modality effect is an important question because it helps us know the cognitive and physiological nature of the timing process. There is consensus about explanation of the audio-visual modality effect.On the basis of reviewing the existing literature on theoretical and empirical research of audio-visual modality effect, we took time bisection to explore it. In experiment 1, we researched that whether audio-visual modality effect in milliseconds range was existed and the mechanism of it. In experiment 2, the ratio of showing standard was manipulated, we explored audio-visual modality effect in milliseconds range, and investigated whether the memory mixing was right. In experiment 3, we researched that whether audio-visual modality effect in seconds range was existed and the mechanism of it.According to results obtained under present experimental conditions, the following conclusion can be made:(1) Audio-visual modality effect in milliseconds range is existed; we do not found audio-visual modality effect in seconds range.(2) Audio-visual modality effect in milliseconds range is due to internal clock speed and memory mixing.(3) The standard memory representation is composed for a greater contribution from the auditory than the visual, but the auditory memory is not dominant in memory mixing.(4) The auditory and the visual may have a common internal clock.