MAGNITUDE ESTIMATION OF AVERAGE LENGTH AND AVERAGE INCLINATION

18 male Os made magnitude estimates of average length (AL) and average inclination (AI) on arrays of lines representing mean lengths of 8-73 in. and mean inclinations of 10-80-. Each array on which AL was judged contained 6 horizontal lines of different lengths, and each array on which AI was judged contained 6 lines of constant length sloping at different angles in the 1st quadrant. AL was judged in proportion to a continuously present standard line 12, 36, or 60 in. long, and AI in proportion to a standard inclinded at 20, 45, or 70- above horizontal. Relationships between subjective and stimulus magnitude at both group and individual levels were adequately described by linear functions for AI (slopes of .80-1.20 and PSI intercepts of -6.29-10.88) and by power functions for AL (exponents of .84-1.19). Under the medium and large AL standards, linear functions were equally satisfactory. An interpretation was given in terms of the relationship between subjective average and the continuum averaged. (16 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved). © 1969 American Psychological Association.