Temporal cognition and the phenomenology of time: A multiplicative function for apparent duration

The literature on time perception is discussed. This is done with reference both to the "cognitive-timer" model for time estimation and to the subject ive experience of apparent duration. Three assumptions underlying the model are scrutinized. I stress the strong interplay among attention, arousal, a nd time perception, which is at the base of the cognitive-timer. model. It is suggested that a multiplicative Function of two key components (the numb er of subjective time units and their size) should predict apparent duratio n. Implications For other cognitive domains ale drawn, and in particular an analogy is suggested between apparent duration and apparent movement. (C) 2001 Academic Press.