Interruption in duration reproduction: Effect on the accuracy of time judgment

The effect of an empty break in time estimation was examined in duration reproduction tasks using two visual target durations (1 700 ms and 2 300 ms). In line with previous research on duration production and discrimination, an effect of break location was observed : the reproduced duration lengthened as the pre-break duration increased (the time between the beginning of the duration to be reproduced and its interruption). This effect is interpreted as reflecting interference between time estimation processes and expectancy processes which allow the beginning of the interruption to be located. The effect could also be due to a response bias (as described in Vierordt's law), which leads to overestimation of the short pre-break durations and to underestimation of the long pre-break durations.