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NOTESthat a more future-based time perspective could help students
study and progress to higher education.
Most researchers believe our time perspective is largely
learned in childhood. Culture also has an influence on our time
perspective. Individualistic, “me-focused” societies tend to be
future-focused, while more “we-focused” societies—ones that
encourage social engagement—invest more in the past. Affluence
also has an effect: Poorer communities tend to live more in the
present. But we can all change our time perspective, Zimbardo
says.
Ideally, we can learn to shift our attention easily between the
past, present, and future, and consciously adapt our mindset to
any given situation. Learning to switch time perspectives allows
us to fully take part in everything we do, whether it’s a relaxed
evening enjoying a glass of wine or reminiscing about long -ago
events with an old friend.
Vital though this skill is, since time perspective is largely
an unconscious and habitual way of viewing things, it takes a
concerted effort to improve our use of it.What’s Your Type?
Zimbardo identified five key approaches to time perspective.
These are:- The “past-negative” type. You focus on negative personal
experiences that still have the power to upset you. This can
lead to feelings of bitterness and regret. - The “past-positive” type. You take a nostalgic view of the
past, and stay in very close contact with your family. You tend
to have happy relationships, but the downside is a cautious,
“better safe than sorry” approach which may hold you back. - The “present-hedonistic” type. You are dominated by
pleasure-seeking impulses, and are reluctant to postpone
feeling good for the sake of greater gain later. You are popular
but tend to have a less healthy lifestyle and take more risks. - The “present-fatalistic” type. You aren’t enjoying the present
but feel trapped in it, unable to change the inevitability of
the future. This sense of powerlessness can lead to anxiety,
depression and risk-taking. - The “future-focused” type. You are highly ambitious, focused
on goals, and big on making “to do” lists. You tend to feel a
nagging sense of urgency that can create stress for yourself
and those around you. Your investment in the future can
come at the cost of close relationships and recreation time.
All five types come into play in our lives at some point, but there
probably will be one or two directions in which you are more45678Copyright © SAVVAS Learning Company LLC. All Rights Reserved.
UNIT 3 Independent Learning • What’s Your Time Perspective? IL36