Date of Award:

5-2013

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Psychology

Committee Chair(s)

Amy L. Odum

Committee

Amy L. Odum

Committee

Timothy A. Shahan

Committee

Donal G. Sinex

Abstract

Time estimation is a process that underlies many complex behaviors. Accurately timed performance depends upon some biological mechanism, which may be revealed by experimental methods. There have been several proposals on the subject of the function of the timing mechanism, some of which have revealed contradictory findings regarding the effect of distraction on timing. Whereas some studies have revealed underestimation (reports of time moving more slowly than it actually is) of the target interval following distracter presentation, others have revealed generalized disruption (no meaningful evidence of timing). The purpose of the present study was to determine whether food presentation for timing responses following exposure to a distracter task would produce underestimation relative to control conditions. Pigeons were used as subjects on an interval timing task, wherein stimuli were presented for certain brief intervals, followed by presentation of side key lights, which produced food when pecked. After establishing a baseline, the task was modified to include brief access to a key light that had previously been associated with food presented during the interval to be timed. Following the interval, responses to the correct side-key produced food in one condition, and resulted in no food in the other condition. Analysis of the data revealed an overall generalized disruption in both distracter conditions, though a data-correction procedure revealed underestimation in the food-available distracter condition, relative to the no-food condition. These findings suggest that the causes of the differences between studies on timing may be based upon differences in procedure.

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