M Av. num. Trials 6.3 3.1 2.5 2.2 5.3 4.4
Num. Series av. 9 12 12 10 3 2
Aver. Error (sec.) .09 .07 .076 .110 .067 .172
Mean Displac'mt (sec.) +.089 -.058´ -.058 -.104 +.062 +.168
The first four combinations of intervals above, with which the major
part of the results was obtained, it will be noticed, are approximately
proportionate increases in each interval, column by column. These
conditions were planned with a view to revealing the conditions, most
favorable for coördinating the auditory and visual impressions, for
each observer, so that his displacement would disappear, or show a
tendency to disappear. So far as is shown by these results, there
are here two types of observer. Bo has no mean displacement for the
8.40-.260 sec. combination, and it steadily decreases toward this
point as the two intervals increase. Both B and M, on the other hand,
have a considerable positive mean displacement for the 1.28-.040 sec.
combination, and a considerable negative mean displacement for the
2.56-.080 sec. combination, and there is a further increase in the
negative displacement as the intervals increase from this point. It
seems as though these observers would give a mean displacement of zero
for some combination of intervals between these first two. It will be
noticed that the average number of trials is exceptionally large for
all three of the observers in the first combination. This seemed to
be pretty clearly due to the very short interval separating visual
impressions.
THE AUDITORY INTERVAL _alone_ VARYING
In order more certainly to isolate the influence of the time-interval
between successive auditory impressions, another series of experiments
was performed, in which this interval between clicks, alone, was
varied from series to series. The visual interval was kept at .083
sec. throughout. This seemed to be about the shortest time-separation
at which the successive impressions were perfectly distinct. The
auditory impressions were at 1, 1-1/2, 2, 3, and 4 sec. intervals.
The additional observer, H, was myself. I obtained these results by
experimenting alone. I adjusted the wooden shaft carelessly to a new
position and started the machine. When speed was attained, I would
make the observation just as an observer for whom the adjustment had
been made. I would have as little idea beforehand as he with regard to
the position of the click in the series of letters. Having made the
observation, however, I measured the actual place of the sound and
recorded it, as well as my judgment. In this way, of course, I had some
idea, all the time, as to what kind of displacements I was making and
how large. I was as careless of this knowledge as possible, and the
records were laid aside absolutely, until I was through with the whole
experiment. Terms used in Table II are the same as in Table I.
TABLE II
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