Abstract: Time processing and space processing are closely connected in mental representation. Two kinds of relationships between temporal and spatial distance processing are evaluated. On the one hand, variations in spatial distance influence processing of time to the same degree that variation in time influence judgments of spatial distance. On the other hand, spatial length disturbs estimated time, while duration has no effect on space processing, which produce an asymmetric interference. Most studies have verified this asymmetrical interference when subjects are required to attend length or duration of a line. This asymmetry might be caused by mental metaphor because we more often speak and think about time in terms of space while do not represent space with the aid of temporal information. However, under the complicated reality situation, pepole's perception of length is likely affected by surroundings to lead a distorted perception. Müller-Lyer illusion is one kind of these length illusions. When length illusion is generated, how the relationship between length information processing and time estimate becomes? Time estimates is affected by subjective length illusion, or only distorted by physical length of Müller-Lyer figure? This research conducted three experiments using time reproduction and length reproduction method. We employed full shaft and empty shaft of Müller-Lyer figure in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2 respectively. The lengths of shafts included two kinds (40mm and 80mm). Each of both lengths was attached with inward–pointing (wings-in), vertical-pointing (control condition) and outward-pointing (wings-out) wings. The Müller-Lyer figure lasted 500ms, 1500ms, 2500ms, or 3500ms. Participants were required to concurrently attend temporal and spatial length information of Müller-Lyer configurations，and then to reproduce their length or duration according to response cue. These results from two experiments found that perceived duration lengthened as objective length of Müller-Lyer configurations increased, while arrow directions had no effect on estimated time. In order to explore the reason why subjective length illusion had no effect on timing, we manipulated arrow pointing wings and shaft length in experiment 3 in which time estimation and length judgments task were completed in separate block, to make physical length difference was greater while subjective length difference was limited with in the scope as in Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. The result rejected the explanation that the difference of length illusion was too small. These results verified the relationship between length estimation and time estimation was asymmetrical in Müller-Lyer configuration. Additionally, we also propose the relationship between length processing and time estimation is controlled by stimuli, experimental method and the range of temporal interval.

Key words: Müller-Lyer figure, length processing, time estimation, metaphor theory, attention

摘要： 采用复制法，考察Müller-Lyer错觉条件下，长度加工与时距估计的关系。实验1和实验2分别采用实线段和空线段，结果发现，图形的客观长度越长，估计的时距越长；箭头朝向造成的主观长度错觉对时距估计无影响；时距对长度判断的影响较小。实验3进一步操作线段长度和箭杆方向，发现长度错觉不影响时距估计与错觉量的大小无关。研究表明刺激的客观长度与时间在心理表征上存在自动化的联结，也受到刺激、实验方法和时距等因素的影响。

关键词: Müller-Lyer图形, 长度加工, 时距估计, 隐喻理论, 注意资源