The effect of training on absolute estimation of distance over the ground.

Abstract

This experiment was designed to determine whether training in absolute estimation of distance would result in improvement when the targets themselves provided no cues and when memorization of specific cues and yd. numbers was not possible. Targets were viewed over a mowed grass surface from 6 station points. The 21 targets were so placed that 108 judgments, all of different distances (39 to 435 yds.), could be made. An exptl. group judged the distance, in yds., to 18 targets (pretest), then made 90 corrected judgments (training series), and finally repeated the pretest. A control group performed the 2 test series without intervening practice. Improvement of absolute judgment of distance resulted from the training. Constant errors of over- and underestimation were corrected by the exptl. group. Variable error was reduced by both groups, but significantly more by the exptl. group. The function relating true distance to estimated distance was shown to be linear. Evidently, stimuli provided by the ground surface can become variable cues for scaled responses indicating distance.