Memory psychophysics: functional equivalence of memory and perceptual estimates

Abstract

Four experiments were carried on to test the hypothesis of Reperceptual Model and the Central Tendency of Judgment Model. The subjects had to estimate: in Exp. 1 the area of Brazilian states; in Exp. 2 the linear distance from Brasilia to the states capitals using a map or by memory, after studying this map; in Exps. 3 and 4 areas or distances perceptually or after intervals of several durations. The results show that 1) Stevens' psychophysical law describes well both perceptual estimates and those made by memory; 2)the perceptual estimates have higher exponents than the memory estimates; 3) the exponents of memory estimates decrease irregularly with increasing time intervals; 4) the Central Tendency Model, and an alternative hypothesis which takes into account the amplitude of the stimuli, were favored by the central tendency of data obstained.