Human Estimation of Proportional Distances and Distance Ratios with the Aid of a Reference Length.

摘要

Two experiments were conducted to investigate human ability to estimate the location of a target point. In the first experiment, a lateral distance between two remote points was displayed,and subjects were required to define,by means of a sighting device, a second lateral distance bearing a prescribed ratio to the first. In the second experiment,subjects were required to estimate the ratio of two displayed distances. Both experiments were conducted on an indoor,table-top range. A reference distance and a ratio aided accuracy in estimating distances. The findings suggest the value of a physically present reference distance for communicating the location of an obscure point. (Author)