In theory the act of controlling ones time perspective can seem quite attractive. On a straightforward blow for blow approach to manipulate how fast or slow time moves for a person though doesn’t work very well in practice, as the act of trying to regulate ones emotions actually causes one’s time perspective to slow down (Vohs & Schmeichel, 2003). Changing ones time perspective type however can be done, and is even recommended in some certain cases, one example being someone with a traumatic past and a past orientated time perspective. This is even recommended in the case of Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory, as each personality type has its strengths and weaknesses- some more then others. In any case what is recommended is a mixture of all types of perspective to some degree, Zimbardo’s Time Perspective Inventory even having an idealized time perspective score. Zimbardo’s ideal score involves a high level of past-positive, a moderately high level of future orientation, a moderate level of selected present hedonism and low levels of both Past-negative and Present-fatalistic which in theory would generate a happier, healthier and more successful personality (Zimbardo & Boyd, 2008). As mentioned in brief before though exactly how to change ones own time perspective is still kind of vague and what information is given mentions its difficulty. Nevertheless there is some advice on the subject to be found, with Zimbardo & Boyd’s (2008) book advising three key thought process to enable change: an understanding of relativity, consistent awareness, and continuous conscious effort. As such although it is difficult it is possible to change ones time perspective to improve their life, a change from a maladaptive perspective type doing wonders for severe negative emotional issues such as depression and severe stress.
If you take the test: You score should be between 1 and 5.
If you don’t want to take the test please enter the given median value (even though I fear that this will skew the test on the LW population).
Past-negative (enter 3.0 to just see results) [pollid:1154]
Past-positive (3.22 to just see results) [pollid:1155]
Present-fatalistic (enter 2.33 to just see results) [pollid:1156]
Present-hedonistic (enter 3.93 to just see results) [pollid:1157]
Future (enter 3.38 to just see results) [pollid:1158]
If you can rely on honesty of people, you could add a checkbox question “I wanted to see results” and get 0-1 out of that one, allowing you to calculate what the real average should have been.
Relevant:
Can one control time perspective to better oneself and improve their life
Interesting. I didn’t know about this. Apparently there is an online test for this that cries for a poll.
Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory Online Test Warning: Took me about 9 minutes.
If you take the test: You score should be between 1 and 5. If you don’t want to take the test please enter the given median value (even though I fear that this will skew the test on the LW population).
Past-negative (enter 3.0 to just see results) [pollid:1154]
Past-positive (3.22 to just see results) [pollid:1155]
Present-fatalistic (enter 2.33 to just see results) [pollid:1156]
Present-hedonistic (enter 3.93 to just see results) [pollid:1157]
Future (enter 3.38 to just see results) [pollid:1158]
See also the distribution of results and ideal results.
If you can rely on honesty of people, you could add a checkbox question “I wanted to see results” and get 0-1 out of that one, allowing you to calculate what the real average should have been.