Influence of reflection-impulsivity and cognitive style on time estimation under different ambient conditions

120 college students estimated seven different durations of a light by the method of reproduction. Each duration reproduction was performed while either counting fast auditory clicks, slow clicks, or with no clicks. The subjects had previously been assessed for cognitive style with the Group Embedded Figures test and for reflection-impulsively with the impulsivity scale from the Personality Research Form. Multivariate analyses of variance indicated that the rapid-tempo ambient conditions had a greater effect on estimation of duration than did either the slow tempo or control condition. There were significant differences in time estimation between reflectives and impulsives for estimations of 10, 30, and 50 sec. No interactions were observed for reflection-impulsivity by ambient conditions. Although cognitive style did not interact with ambient conditions as was predicted, it did interact with sex for three durations, 10, 20, and 30 sec. It was concluded that impulsive students tend to underestimate the brief times more than do reflective students but are not affected differently by the ambient circumstances in which the estimation is made. Cognitive style, apparently, does not have a profound influence on estimation of brief durations. However, sex and cognitive style in interaction do affect these estimations, this requires further research.