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Limited time perspective increases the value of calm.
Da Jiang1, Helene H Fung1, Tamara Sims2
1Department of Psychology, Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Emotion (Washington, D.C.)
|July 28, 2015
Summary
Perceiving life as limited increases the desire for calm and low-arousal positive states. This study directly tested and confirmed the link between future time perspective and ideal affect.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Affective Science
Background:
- Previous research suggests a link between a limited perception of time and valuing calmness.
- This hypothesis has not been directly investigated empirically.
Purpose of the Study:
- To directly test the hypothesis that a limited future time perspective increases the desire for calm and low-arousal positive states.
- To examine the relationship between future time perspective and ideal affect.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a combination of survey, experience sampling, and experimental methods.
- Study 1: Survey and experience sampling to assess future time perspective and ideal affect.
- Study 2: Experimental manipulation of time perspective (limited vs. expanded) and measurement of ideal affect.
Main Results:
- A limited future time perspective was positively associated with valuing calm and other low-arousal positive states.
- Participants in the limited time condition reported a greater desire for calm and low-arousal positive states compared to the expanded time condition.
Conclusions:
- Findings provide direct evidence that a limited future time perspective leads to a greater preference for calm and low-arousal positive affect.
- These results broaden the understanding of factors influencing ideal affect and have implications for decision-making.
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