EXPECTED ENDINGS AND JUDGED DURATION

In four experiments, the predictions of an expectancy/contrast model ( Jones & Boltz, 1989) for judged duration were evaluated. In Experiment s 1 and 2, listeners estimated the relative durations of auditory patt ern pairs that varied in contextual phrasing and temporal contrast. Th e results showed that when the second pattern of a pair either seems t o (Experiments 1 and 2) or actually does (Experiment 2) end earlier (l ater) than the first, subjects judge it as being relatively shorter (l onger). In Experiment 3, listeners heard single patterns in which note s immediately preceding the final one were omitted. Timing of the fina l (target) tone was varied such that it was one beat early, on time, o r one beat late. Listeners' ratings of target tones revealed systemati c effects of phrasing and target timing. In Experiment 4, listeners te mporally completed (extrapolated) sequences of Experiment 3 that were modified to exclude the target tone. The results again showed that phr ase context systematically influenced expectancies about ''when'' sequ ences should end. As a set, these studies demonstrate the effects of e vent structure and anticipatory attending upon experienced duration an d are discussed in terms of the expectancy/contrast model.