Nonrandom tendencies in interpolating between end-points

Abstract

6 Ss' estimates of the position within a 2-4 mm. interval were analyzed and found to be nonrandomly distributed among the decimals of the interval, even though the original data were uniformly distributed. Each S was highly consistent in his pattern of decimal selection over time. The patterns for different Ss were remarkably similar; decimals near the end-points of the interval were chosen at the expense of those in the interior of the interval. The position of the end-points was largely responsible for the nonrandom selection observed, for the numbers "preferred" could be altered by altering the end-points. The S's knowing of this phenomenon had some effect on the magnitude of the tendency, but did not eliminate it. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)