Abstract: Within a theory of magnitude (ATOM), a large number of studies have found that magnitude information, including number of dots, size of squares, luminance of solid squares, and numeric value of digits, have the effect on time perception, i.e. the larger of magnitude information, the longer of estimated duration. In this study, we investigated the effect of symbolic and non-symbolic number presented at same time on time estimation, or which is dominated in time estimation. A Stroop-like interference paradigm was adopted in duration comparison tasks to test the interactions exist between symbolic and non-symbolic number. When visual stimuli were presented on a computer screen, the subjects were asked to make duration or temporal interval judgments (shorter vs. longer). Arabic number (2,3,7 and 8) and size of Arabic number were operationlised as symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude in Experiment one. Arabic number (2,3,7 and 8) and quantity of Arabic number were operationlised as symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude in experiment two. A 2(Arabic number: small and large)?2(size: small and big in experiment one; quantity: less and more in experiment two)?2(duration: short and long) within subject design was used in all experiments. According to Xuan’s study, the durations paired in the experiment were 600/750,650/812, 700/875, and 750/937 ms (all conforming to the shorter/the longer ratio of 1/1.25). The response error rate were calculated in congruent (“small”/shorter and “large”/longer, “small”/shorter and “big”/longer or “less”/shorter and “more”/longer) and incongruent condition (“small”/longer and “large”/shorter, “small”/longer and “big”/shorter or “more”/shorter and “less”/longer). The repeated measures ANOVA was performed on the response error rate data across all participants. The results demonstrate similar patterns in experiment one and two. In two experiments, only the interaction of non-symbolic magnitude (size of Arabic number experiment one and quantity of Arabic number in experiment two) and duration was significant. The simple effect analysis show that a low response error rate was observed only in the non-symbolic congruent condition (“small”/shorter and “big”/longer or “less”/shorter and “more”/longer). The findings seemingly indicates that when perceiving the duration, subjects were almost ignored the magnitude of Arabic number information, but rather depend on the size or quantity of Arabic number in experiment one and two respectively. It suggests that, comparing to symbolic magnitude, non-symbolic magnitude have a dominated influence on time estimation. Together, the findings implicated that symbolic and non-symbolic magnitude has a significant effect on time perception, in which non-symbolic magnitude is dominated. This study extends this line of research to the theory of magnitude, which provides expanded and direct support for the existence of a generalized magnitude system. Key words A Theory of Magnitude, Time estimation, symbolic magnitude, non-symbolic magnitude,

Key words: A Theory of Magnitude, Time estimation, symbolic magnitude, non-symbolic magnitude

摘要： 本研究采用抽象数量和实际数量叠加的方式呈现刺激，进一步探讨数量对时间知觉的影响。两个实验都运用时间的系列比较任务，以抽象数量和实际数量这两种数量的一致和不一致为条件，将阿拉伯数字和其字体大小叠加及阿拉伯数字和其呈现个数叠加的方式系列呈现在屏幕中央，要求被试比较判断刺激呈现的时间长短。结果显示被试均依靠实际数量的大小判断时间长短，而似乎忽略了抽象数量的存在。这一结果表明实际数量对时间知觉的影响要比抽象数量大，支持并扩展了数量理论。

关键词: 数量理论 时间知觉 抽象数量 实际数量