The Influence of Number-Conceptual Magnitude Combinations on Time Perception: The Role of Familiarity Conditions

doi:10.12139/j.1672-0628.2025.02.003

Abstract

Abstract:

Previous research has demonstrated that number size can influence time perception, with larger numbers leading to longer subjective duration estimates, a phenomenon known as the numerical effect on time perception. This study investigated how the combination of numbers and conceptual magnitudes (both familiar and unfamiliar) affects time perception. In Experiment 1, numbers (1, 2, 8, 9) were paired with low-familiarity length magnitudes (e.g., decimeter, millimeter), while Experiment 2 paired the same numbers with high-familiarity length magnitudes (e.g., kilometer, centimeter). Results from Experiment 1 indicated that, under low-familiarity conditions, conceptual magnitude did not modulate the numerical effect on time perception. In contrast, Experiment 2 demonstrated that, under high-familiarity conditions, the numerical effect persisted when paired with large conceptual magnitudes but disappeared when paired with small ones. These findings suggest that the interaction between number and conceptual magnitude influences time perception, with familiarity playing a crucial moderating role, thus supporting the integrated magnitude system theory.

Key words: numbers, conceptual magnitude, time perception, familiarity

摘要：

数字大小会干扰时间判断，数字越大，个体对其持续时间的主观知觉越长，即时间知觉的数字效应。本研究探究在高低熟悉度条件下，数字与概念量级结合对时间知觉的影响。采用时间二分任务，实验1使用数字(1、2、8、9)与低熟悉度的长度概念量级(分米、毫米)结合。实验2使用相同数字与高熟悉度的长度概念量级(千米、厘米)结合。实验1结果显示，在低熟悉度条件下，概念量级不影响时间知觉的数字效应。实验2结果显示，在高熟悉度条件下，数字与大概念量级结合后，仍表现出时间知觉的数字效应；而数字与小概念量级结合后，该效应消失。研究结果表明，数字与概念量级结合影响对其时间属性的判断，该过程受到概念熟悉度的显著影响。

关键词: 数字, 概念量级, 时间知觉, 熟悉度

Wenli LIU, Weicong REN, Wenwu DAI, Zhijie ZHANG. The Influence of Number-Conceptual Magnitude Combinations on Time Perception: The Role of Familiarity Conditions[J]. Studies of Psychology and Behavior, 2025, 23(2): 161-167.

刘文莉, 任维聪, 代文武, 张志杰. 不同熟悉度条件下数字与概念量级结合对时间知觉的影响[J]. 心理与行为研究, 2025, 23(2): 161-167.

Figures/Tables 5

References 0

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