title: Attention and timing: dual-task performance in pigeons.
abstract: Pigeons were exposed to an analog of a 'dual-task' procedure used to test attentional models of timing in humans. After separate training on an auditory duration discrimination and on a variable ratio (VR) schedule, VR episodes lasting for 5 s were superimposed on the stimuli to be timed, either early (E) or late (L) during the trial. Trials with VR yielded underestimation of the target durations (increased % of 'short' choices), relative to trials without VR, and this effect was stronger under the L than under the E condition. Data were similar to those collected with humans and support attentional models of timing according to which the simultaneous non-timing task uses processing resources which are diverted from the timing mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Psychobiology Temp/Processes Unit (PTPU), Faculty of Psychology, University of Liège, 5 Boulevard du Rectorat B32, B-4000 Sart-Tilman, Liege, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lejeune
authors.affiliation: CNRS-CRNC, 31 Chemin Joseph Aiguier, 13402 Marseille Cedex 20 , France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Macar
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zakay