Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Estimation of the Physical Quantities01:05

Estimation of the Physical Quantities

7.0K
On many occasions, physicists, other scientists, and engineers need to make estimates of a particular quantity. These are sometimes referred to as guesstimates, order-of-magnitude approximations, back-of-the-envelope calculations, or Fermi calculations. The physicist Enrico Fermi was famous for his ability to estimate various kinds of data with surprising precision. Estimating does not mean guessing a number or a formula at random. Instead, estimation means using prior experience and sound...
7.0K
Distance Corrections01:15

Distance Corrections

209
To achieve precise distance measurements, especially in surveying and construction, certain corrections must be applied to account for potential sources of error like the standardization errors, temperature variations, and slope adjustments.Standardization error emerges when measurement equipment undergoes changes, such as wear, repairs, or weather impacts. To address this, surveyors compare the equipment’s readings to a standard. This process identifies any deviation that might lead to...
209
Common Leveling Mistakes and Errors01:17

Common Leveling Mistakes and Errors

280
A survey team is tasked with determining the elevation difference between points Point A and Point B, separated by uneven terrain. They use a leveling instrument and a leveling rod.Common MistakesMisreading the Rod: During a backsight reading at Point A, the instrumentman observes the rod partially obscured by tall grass. Instead of reading 1.135 m, they mistakenly record 1.735 m due to the misalignment of the crosshair with the wrong graduation. This error adds 0.600 m to all subsequent...
280
Random and Systematic Errors01:20

Random and Systematic Errors

14.2K
Scientists always try their best to record measurements with the utmost accuracy and precision. However, sometimes errors do occur. These errors can be random or systematic. Random errors are observed due to the inconsistency or fluctuation in the measurement process, or variations in the quantity itself that is being measured. Such errors fluctuate from being greater than or less than the true value in repeated measurements. Consider a scientist measuring the length of an earthworm using a...
14.2K
Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors01:15

Systematic Error: Methodological and Sampling Errors

7.7K
In the case of systematic errors, the sources can be identified, and the errors can be subsequently minimized by addressing these sources. According to the source, systematic errors can be divided into sampling, instrumental, methodological, and personal errors.
Sampling errors originate from improper sampling methods or the wrong sample population. These errors can be minimized by refining the sampling strategy. Defective instruments or faulty calibrations are the sources of instrumental...
7.7K
Errors and Mistakes in Surveying01:19

Errors and Mistakes in Surveying

492
Errors and mistakes in surveying refer to inaccuracies in measurements and data recording. The errors are deviations from the actual value caused by human sensory limitations, equipment flaws, or environmental effects. These errors are typically unintentional and can result from the inherent imperfections in the instruments used, atmospheric conditions, or the observer’s inability to perceive exact measurements. On the other hand, mistakes are caused by the surveyor's lack of...
492

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Investigating the reproducibility of the social and behavioural sciences.

Nature·2026
Same author

Investigating the replicability of the social and behavioural sciences.

Nature·2026
Same author

Rethinking the roles of language and task for spatial-numerical associations: Commentary on Hochman et al. (2025).

Journal of experimental psychology. General·2026
Same author

The left-digit bias in two-dimensional manual pointing.

Journal of experimental psychology. Learning, memory, and cognition·2026
Same author

Tracing life-mind continuity in pivotal traits - world models and isomorphism.

The Behavioral and brain sciences·2025
Same author

Lexical priming of space depends on how deeply you think about it.

Scientific reports·2025
Same journal

Musical training increases anticipatory responding and predictive control in sequence learning.

Psychological research·2026
Same journal

When emotions hurt: negative interpretations of bodily signals and interoceptive difficulties in fibromyalgia.

Psychological research·2026
Same journal

Emotion-specific modality effects in auditory and visual perception of emotion.

Psychological research·2026
Same journal

The effect of retrieval practice on incidental memory is modulated by emotional valence: evidence of ERPs.

Psychological research·2026
Same journal

The length of a piece of string: Where the whole is more than the sum of its constituent parts.

Psychological research·2026
Same journal

The influence of older age, individual differences in cognitive abilities, and state of mind on learning novel categories.

Psychological research·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Measuring the Complete-arch Distortion of an Optical Dental Impression
06:51

Measuring the Complete-arch Distortion of an Optical Dental Impression

Published on: May 30, 2019

7.9K

Systematic spatial distortion of quantitative estimates.

Samuel Shaki1, Martin H Fischer2

  • 1Ariel University, Ariel, Israel.

Psychological Research
|July 18, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Spatial arrangement significantly impacts human magnitude estimation, affecting number, length, and weight judgments. This spatial influence, or "spell of space," distorts quantitative estimates in predictable ways.

More Related Videos

Medical-grade Sterilizable Target for Fluid-immersed Fetoscope Optical Distortion Calibration
07:03

Medical-grade Sterilizable Target for Fluid-immersed Fetoscope Optical Distortion Calibration

Published on: February 23, 2017

8.0K
Development of New Methods for Quantifying Fish Density Using Underwater Stereo-video Tools
09:32

Development of New Methods for Quantifying Fish Density Using Underwater Stereo-video Tools

Published on: November 20, 2017

9.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Measuring the Complete-arch Distortion of an Optical Dental Impression
06:51

Measuring the Complete-arch Distortion of an Optical Dental Impression

Published on: May 30, 2019

7.9K
Medical-grade Sterilizable Target for Fluid-immersed Fetoscope Optical Distortion Calibration
07:03

Medical-grade Sterilizable Target for Fluid-immersed Fetoscope Optical Distortion Calibration

Published on: February 23, 2017

8.0K
Development of New Methods for Quantifying Fish Density Using Underwater Stereo-video Tools
09:32

Development of New Methods for Quantifying Fish Density Using Underwater Stereo-video Tools

Published on: November 20, 2017

9.6K

Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Psychophysics
  • Human Perception

Background:

  • Magnitude estimation is a core area of scientific psychology and human behavior.
  • Previous research has not identified the influence of spatial arrangement on estimation tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of spatial layout on various magnitude estimation tasks.
  • To determine if spatial arrangement systematically distorts performance in number estimation, length production, and weight reproduction.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted three experiments with 167 adult participants.
  • Assessed performance in number estimation, length production, and weight reproduction under different spatial arrangements of stimuli and responses.

Main Results:

  • Spatial layout of stimuli and responses systematically distorts performance across all tested quantitative estimation tasks.
  • The direction of this spatial distortion is linked to individual counting habits.
  • Evidence does not support the idea that spatial distortions stem from spatially associated number concepts.

Conclusions:

  • All quantitative estimates are susceptible to spatial distortion when stimuli or responses are spatially distributed.
  • The pervasive influence of spatial arrangement, termed the "spell of space," affects human magnitude estimation.
  • Understanding this spatial effect is crucial for accurate interpretation of quantitative judgment research.