Learning to time intervals

Traditionally, interval timing is the ability to time short intervals from seconds to minutes and is distinguished from circadian timing, the timing of the rhythm of day and night. This chapter presents three paradigms that have been used to investigate interval timing and typical data found in laboratory studies. Three theories are discussed briefly. Recent data are then presented that show that interval timing shares many properties with circadian timing. These data are consistent with the use of multiple oscillators at different periods for timing.