Comparing two objects for size after a comparison of one of the objects with other objects

Abstract

When shown the names of two objects, subjects determine which object is larger more slowly as the difference in the sizes of the objects decreases. This might result from variations in the time taken to access sufficient information to perform the task; information which crudely specifies size is accessed first and can be used when the sizes differ greatly; information which specifies size on a more finely graded scale must be accessed when they do not. This hypothesis was tested. Subjects shown the names of three objects, determined which object was intermediate in size. Immediately thereafter the name of another object was shown, the task then being to decide whether the object previously judged intermediate was larger than this object. In this second task reaction times increased with decreasing differences in size between the two objects; this increase was smaller, however, when the sizes of the objects in the first task were similar. The results were predicted from the assumption that when the specification of an object's size in terms of fine discrimination is accessed for comparison in the first task it remains available for use in the second task; thus the time normally required for accessing that information in the second task is reduced. Some implications of the results are discussed.