The 3 time perspectives of Zimbardo & Boyd | zeit ag

The 3 time perspectives

Do you tend to live in the moment or are you constantly making plans for the future? The concept of time perspective (Zimbardo & Boyd, 1999) describes the individually different perception of past, present and future. A time perspective is therefore the internalized time zone. What's more, according to Zimbardo, it even plays a key role in determining our satisfaction and influences many of our decisions. He distinguishes between three time perspectives:

The past-oriented type

These people are guided by their memories of similar situations. The focus can either be on negative aspects of the past, such as mistakes or losses, or on positive aspects, i.e. the good experiences of the past.

• The positive type tends to have happier relationships, a healthier lifestyle and a better economic status. They also like to stay in touch with family.
  
  
• The negative focus often brings out symptoms such as anxiety or depression. However, the perspective of time is not set in stone. One way to let the negative elements of the past rest is to reinterpret them, i.e. to filter out the positive effects of these moments in order to create a more positive holistic experience.

The present-oriented type

The present-oriented type tends to live in the present and enjoy the moment without thinking about possible consequences. Here too, a distinction must be made between positive (hedonism) and negative focus (fatalism).

• Hedonism refers to the search for pleasure, adventure and variety and the avoidance of unpleasant or painful activities. Studies show that hedonism is related to health-risk behaviors such as substance abuse or avoidance of preventive check-ups.
  
  
• Fatalism, on the other hand, refers to the feeling that everything is predetermined by fate anyway, that "life is what it is" and that negative experiences are unavoidable. These types often do not feel fully realized in the present. One way to counteract this attitude is to set long-term goals, strive for them in everyday life and surround yourself with positive and productive people.

The future-oriented type

The future-oriented type incorporates the future into their experience and behavior. These people plan and trust that they can influence their future life with their decisions. In doing so, they take into account the costs and benefits of a decision. They are often ambitious, goal-oriented and have a lot to do. They also tend to have positive and constructive ideas. For example, students who have a future orientation spend more time studying and get better grades. On the downside, investing in the future can come at the expense of social ties and leisure time. Furthermore, these types are less able to focus, recover and relax.

How does a time perspective develop? Scientific studies show that our time perspective is largely learned in childhood. Prevailing values, norms and roles are unconsciously internalized. At the same time, our perspective on time can be changed by significant experiences. Culture also has an influence on our perspective of time. Individualistic, "me-focused" meritocracies are generally future-oriented, while "we-focused" societies - those that promote social engagement - invest in the past. Wealth also has an influence: poorer communities tend to live more in the present.

What is your perspective on time? Take the self-test!
Zimbardo emphasizes that all of the following time perspectives are present in our daily lives to some degree. However, one specific time perspective tends to predominate. Together with John Boyd, Zimbardo has developed a questionnaire - the Time Perspective Inventory - to measure your personal time perspective. Fill it out online here to find out which perspective you have internalized.

to the self-test

Conclusion
In summary, the goal of Zimbardo's theory is to provide a deeper knowledge of time orientation and to establish a method that recognizes our fundamental needs and deeply rooted values.

Zimbardo emphasizes that while time perspective occurs in early stages of consciousness development, we can learn to adjust our mindset to a certain degree. He recommends using past events in a positive way, finding healthy ways to enjoy the present and making routine improvements.

Source

• Zimbardo, P. G., & Boyd, J. N. (1999). Putting time in perspective: A valid, reliable individual-differences metric. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 77(6), 1271-1288.

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