# The Multiple Oscillator model Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/human-factors-minute-6018615/the-multiple-oscillator-model Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/human-factors-minute-6018615/the-multiple-oscillator-model.md Podcast: [Human Factors Minute](https://stenobird.com/podcast/human-factors-minute-6018615) Published: 2026-07-31T07:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://humanfactorsminute.com/episode/the-multiple-oscillator-model Audio file: https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/36e38b9d-1bee-48e3-ab2b-a6739479c46e/133-20HFM-20-20The-20Multiple-20Oscillator-20Model-converted.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/human-factors-minute-6018615/episodes/the-multiple-oscillator-model Duration seconds: 66 ## Resource The Multiple Oscillator Model is a connectionist model that describes how we perceive time. An oscillator can be described as a pacemaker with a repetitive rhythm - like a swinging pendulum. The perception of an oscillator can provide the linear metric of time without one having to read a clock. This particular model describes time as being perceived through the feedback of multiple oscillators, each with a different frequency once they are triggered. It is believed that intervals in seconds can accurately be perceived when a set of oscillators coincide with one another. This model works as long as each sensory event triggers the oscillators to reset. However, it is unlikely that one could account for shorter intervals, like a few hundred milliseconds. The multiple oscillator model and other proposed time-perception theories are part of the larger picture in researching why we sometimes have an altered perception of time in different situations. There are a variety of human factors that go into time perception, and there is still much to learn. Be sure to check out our main show at our official website:  https://www.humanfactorscast.media Support us on these platforms to get access to the entire Human Factors Minute library: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast Buy us a coffee:  https://www.buymeacoffee.com/hfactorspodcast Join us on Discord: https://go.humanfactorscast.media/Discord Follow us: Human Factors Cast Merchandise Store:  https://www.humanfactorscast.media/p/Store/ Follow us on Twitch:  https://twitch.tv/HumanFactorsCast Follow us on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/HumanFactorsCast Follow us on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/humanfactorscast Follow us on Twitter:  https://www.twitter.com/HFactors… ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/human-factors-minute-6018615/episodes/the-multiple-oscillator-model/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/human-factors-minute-6018615/the-multiple-oscillator-model.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.