Effect of a Mid-Series Anchor on Absolute Judgments of Duration by Schizophrenics,Neurologically Impaired,and Normals

Abstract

36 normal, 36 schizophrenic, and 36 neurologically impaired Ss were compared for their ability to temporally discriminate brief auditory stimuli. The experimental task was the absolute judgment of 3, 5, or 9 stimuli ranging in duration from 0.10 to 1.90 sec. Half of the Ss in each group were “assisted” by the presentation of a repeated mid-series anchor. The interval between the presentation of the anchor and the variable stimuli was varied. With the addition of a mid-series anchor, normal Ss demonstrated an increase in information transmission and a decrease in response stereotypy; schizophrenics demonstrated a slight decrease in information transmission and a slight increase in response stereotypy; neurologically impaired Ss were essentially unaffected. Changes in interstimulus interval on the anchored judgment task did not influence information transmission.