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Abstract

This diploma thesis investigates how perceived duration is affected by
crossmodal signals. All combinations of pairs of auditory, visual, and tactile signals were used to mark empty intervals with a duration between 100 and 900 ms. In a two-interval forced-choice task, participants compared the
duration of these crossmodal intervals to continuous sounds. Audiovisual intervals were perceived to be shorter when the light preceded the sound than vice versa. Audiotactile intervals were perceived to be shorter when the vibration preceded the sound than vice versa. No similar pattern was
registered with the use of visual and tactile stimuli. There was a trend to
underestimate durations of 500 ms or longer for all three combinations of
signals, and a similar pattern was found in two out of three control experiments involving only auditory signals. These results are explained by a combination of differences in sensory latencies and time perception biases as the filled duration illusion and the Vierordt Law.