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Pandemic, Quarantine, and Psychological Time
Simon Grondin1, Esteban Mendoza-Duran1, Pier-Alexandre Rioux1
1École de Psychologie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
Frontiers in Psychology
|November 16, 2020
Summary
The COVID-19 quarantine disrupted routines, altering people's perception of time. Psychological factors like anxiety and attention influenced whether time felt longer or shorter during this period.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Chronopsychology
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated global lockdowns, significantly altering daily life and routines.
- Anecdotal evidence suggested widespread changes in the subjective experience of time during quarantine.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the psychological experience of time during COVID-19 quarantine.
- To identify cognitive and emotional factors influencing time perception during disrupted routines.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of subjective experiences during quarantine.
- Review of cognitive mechanisms (attention, memory) and emotional states (anxiety, uncertainty).
Main Results:
- Interruption of routine significantly impacted psychological time.
- Attention, memory, anxiety, and temporal uncertainty were key factors in perceived time duration.
- Individual personality differences in time perception were evident.
Conclusions:
- Psychological time is highly sensitive to routine disruptions and emotional states.
- Cognitive and affective factors interact to shape our experience of time's passage.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for mental well-being during crises.
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