Citation

Clément A, Droit-Volet S. Behav. Processes 2006; 71(2-3): 164-171.

Affiliation

Blaise Pascal University, Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.beproc.2005.08.007

PMID

16434150

Abstract

The present study investigated in 5- and 8-year-olds, as well as in adults, the effect of verbal counting on temporal discrimination behavior in a generalization task with two duration ranges in order to test the scalar timing property. The results showed that counting improved temporal sensitivity in all age groups, although sensitivity to time remained lower in the younger children. Furthermore, in the 5-year-olds, the temporal generalization behavior conformed well to the scalar property of variance both in the counting and the non-counting condition. However, this conformity to the scalar timing property disappeared when counting was used in the 8-year-olds and the adults. The development of the ability to count time at a constant rhythm is discussed as the major reason for this departure of temporal behavior from the scalar property of variance when counting is employed.

Language: en