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The behavioral theory of timing: transition analyses
1Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287-1104.
Journal of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior
|March 1, 1993
Summary
Behavioral timing models predict activity start and end times are correlated. An augmented model improves predictions and explains movement time variance, enhancing behavioral timing research.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral psychology
- Cognitive science
- Animal behavior
Background:
- Behavioral theory of timing (Killeen & Fetterman, 1988) predicts correlations between activity start and exit times.
- Gibbon and Church (1990, 1992) confirmed positive correlations but noted discrepancies with predictions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To refine the behavioral theory of timing by augmenting its serial model.
- To account for observed discrepancies in activity timing correlations.
- To validate the augmented model using novel data and a new timing technique.
Main Methods:
- Adapted the serial model of the behavioral theory of timing.
- Introduced a one-parameter augmentation positing a lag in response transitions.
- Utilized a novel
- peak choice
- procedure for data collection.
- Analyzed correlational data and movement time variances.
Main Results:
- The augmented behavioral theory model showed improved correspondence with existing correlational data.
- The model successfully accounted for previously unpublished data from the
- peak choice
- procedure.
- Measured variance in movement times closely approximated estimated transition time variances from the model.
Conclusions:
- The augmented behavioral theory provides a more accurate account of timing behavior.
- The identified source of variance in movement times can potentially be mitigated.
- The findings offer insights for refining both behavioral models and the analysis of behavior.