Technology and the psychology of experience: A temporal framework

Technology is increasingly central to how people experience the world, shaping not only what they do but when and how those experiences are psychologically constructed. We propose that technology does not merely backdrop experiences; it transforms them, stretching what were once bounded episodes into representations that are imagined before, lived through, and relived long after they end. In this article, we offer a temporal framework that synthesizes recent research on how technology reshapes experiences before, during, and after they unfold. Then, we use this framework to evaluate the current state of knowledge. We conclude by highlighting opportunities for future investigation.