Time Perspective
An individual's habitual orientation toward past, present, or future that shapes behavior.
Also known as: Temporal orientation, Time orientation, Zimbardo time perspective
Category: Concepts
Tags: time, psychology, decision-making, mindsets, personality
Explanation
Time perspective, researched extensively by Philip Zimbardo, describes how individuals habitually relate to time - whether oriented primarily toward past, present, or future. Zimbardo identifies profiles: past-negative (dwelling on regrets), past-positive (nostalgia, tradition), present-hedonistic (pleasure now), present-fatalistic (what happens, happens), and future-oriented (planning, goal pursuit). Each has strengths and costs: future orientation correlates with achievement but can miss present enjoyment; present hedonism brings pleasure but may sacrifice long-term goals. The 'balanced time perspective' combines: positive past (providing identity and meaning), moderate present hedonism (enjoying life), and future orientation (pursuing goals). Time perspective affects: decisions, relationships, health behaviors, and life satisfaction. For knowledge workers, understanding time perspective helps: recognize personal biases (too future-focused may mean missing life), make balanced decisions, and understand why others make different choices about time.
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