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Time flies like an arrow: Space-time compatibility effects suggest the use of a mental timeline

Weger, Ulrich W., Pratt, J. (2008) Time flies like an arrow: Space-time compatibility effects suggest the use of a mental timeline. Psychonomic Bulletin & Review, 15 (2). pp. 426-430. ISSN 1069-9384. (doi:10.3758/pbr.15.2.426) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:15318)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.3758/pbr.15.2.426

Abstract

The concept of time is elusive to direct observation, yet it pervades almost every aspect of our daily lives. How is time represented, given that it cannot be perceived directly? Metaphoric mapping theory assumes that abstract concepts such as time are represented in terms of concrete, readily available dimensions. Consistent with this, many languages employ spatial metaphors to describe temporal relations. Here we investigate whether the time-is-space metaphor also affects visuospatial attention. In a first experiment, subjects categorized the names of actors in a manner compatible or incompatible with the orientation of a timeline. In two further experiments, subjects categorized or detected left- or right-side targets following prospective or retrospective time words. All three experiments show compatibility effects between the dimensions of space (left-right) and time (earlier-later) and indicate that the concept of time does indeed evoke spatial associations that facilitate responses to targets at spatially compatible locations.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.3758/pbr.15.2.426
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Psychology
Depositing User: Louise Dorman
Date Deposited: 04 Jun 2009 11:09 UTC
Last Modified: 16 Nov 2021 09:53 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/15318 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Weger, Ulrich W..

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