Abstract
The relationship between fluctuations in estrogen level and magnitude of fixation effect was investigated using 14 normally menstruating females as the experimental group and 14 oral contraceptive users as the control. The experimental group was expected to show the greater magnitude of fixation effect. Overall, the magnitude of fixation effect was expected to be greater at the high estrogen level. The difference between the groups was expected to be greater at the high estrogen level than at the low. Stimuli were circles presented with a two-channel tachistoscope. Magnitude of fixation effect was calculated by subtracting the experimental trial point of subjective equality (PSE) from the baseline PSE. Data were analyzed using a one-between/one-within repeated measures design. The results generally confirmed our hypotheses and suggested that high estrogen levels enhance the magnitude of fixation effect. The findings support earlier speculations that male/female differences in magnitude of fixation effect might be due to female hormonal fluctuations.
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Flaherty, V.L., Cowart-Steckler, D. & Pollack, R.H. Magnitude of fixation effect as influenced by estrogen fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. Bull. Psychon. Soc. 26, 115–117 (1988). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334878
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03334878