Binding time: Investigations on the integration of visual stimulus duration

Abstract

The perception of and reaction to objects creates bindings of (object) features and responses, also called event files. In this context, time is a so far understudied feature. We conducted four experiments to investigate whether the duration of visual stimuli is also integrated into such event files. Experiments 1, 2, and 4 used a simple colour classification task and in Experiment 3 the location of a stimulus had to be classified. In all Experiments, the presentation duration of the stimuli (coloured circles) was either short (20 ms) or long (300 ms). We expected partial repetition costs as an indicator of binding. That is, performance should be better when both colour (Experiment 3: location) and duration repeat or alternate relative to partial repetitions. Results showed no partial repetition costs in Experiments 1 and 3, indicating no integration of duration into visual event files. Experiments 2 and 4 revealed partial repetition costs. Performance was better when Colour and Duration repeated compared with a partial repetition. What distinguishes the latter two experiments from the former is that the coloured stimuli could change their presentation location. The results of all four experiments show a pattern that duration can be integrated into visual event files depending on two criteria: The experimental context holds the possibility of a location change of the target stimulus (Experiments 2 and 4) and the location itself is not response relevant (Experiment 3). The role of location changes for the integration of temporal stimulus features into visual event files is discussed.

Keywords: Feature binding; partial repetition costs; temporal binding; time perception; timing.

Figure 1.

Trial procedure in Experiment 1. Only one stimulus (yellow or green) was shown in a given trial. Stimuli are not drawn to scale.

Figure 2.

Mean RTs as a function of the respective factors of Experiments 1 to 4. Upper left panel displays the Colour × Duration interaction from Experiment 1 and the upper right panel shows the Colour × Duration interaction from Experiment 2. Lower left panel displays the Location × Duration interaction from Experiment 3 and the lower right panel illustrates the Colour × Duration interaction from Experiment 4. The solid lines represent duration repetitions and the dashed lines represent duration shifts. The individual slope is shown for each participant and error bars provide standard errors. Experiments 1–3 are plotted with the same scale and Experiment 4 uses a different scale to make all slopes visible. The p values and effect size estimates refer to the Feature × Duration interaction. RT: reaction time.

Figure 3.

Trial procedure in Experiment 2. Left panel displays the stimuli of the standard condition, right panel displays the stimuli of the traffic light condition. Note that in the standard condition, the coloured stimuli were presented without any frame above versus below the fixation cross. Stimuli are not drawn to scale.

Figure 4.

Trial procedure in Experiment 3. This is an example of a trial in which the stimulus is presented above the fixation cross and requires the correct response “up.” In all trials, the stimulus (blue circle) could appear either above or below the fixation cross. Stimuli are not drawn to scale.

Figure 5.

Trial procedure in Experiment 4. This is an example of a trial in which the stimulus (green circle) is presented above the fixation cross and requires a response with the response key associated with the colour green. In all trials, the stimulus (green or yellow circle) could appear either above or below the fixation cross. Stimuli are not drawn to scale.