Time Perspective is a way for Psychologists to categorise how we function in the context of the past, present or future, where our preference is, and how that affects our behaviour.\u00a0 Bear with me; this is exciting stuff that can help you understand how you, and those around you, tick!<\/p>\n
There\u2019s a simple test you can take – the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory<\/a> survey – to find out your preferred perspective, but before you do, look at the perspective descriptions below and ponder which might be your preferred perspective.\u00a0 If you\u2019re not sure, think about what your preference is when you\u2019re on holiday, as you might have learnt to use different perspectives to suit particular situations, such as work.<\/p>\n Then take the test here and see if you get the same result.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry too much about the graph in the results for the time being.\u00a0 For now, just look at the numbers.\u00a0 The perspective with the highest number is your \u2018Time Preference\u2019 (TP)<\/strong>.\u00a0 For example, my TP came out as \u2018Present Hedonistic\u2019 (no surprise to most people who know me!), but I also have strong \u2018Past Positive\u2019 and \u2018Future\u2019 perspectives.<\/p>\n The above are quite simplistic explanations, but you can read about each Perspective in more detail here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Zimbardo proposes an ideal \u2018Balanced Time Perspective\u2019 (BTP)<\/strong> \u2013 see graph<\/a>.\u00a0 Research carried out in 2008<\/a> supported the theory that people with a BTP profile are happier than others.\u00a0\u00a0 So, should you attempt to work against your natural TP, to fit the ideal profile for happiness?\u00a0 Not necessarily.\u00a0 The Zimbardo Inventory is only one tool of many you can use to improve your happiness and overall wellbeing.<\/p>\n Learning about your TP, and the TP of those around you, can help improve relationships at home and at work and can help teachers in school support their pupils better.\u00a0 It can also help you understand yourself and your own behaviours.\u00a0 I find it most useful in this context.<\/p>\n For example, I know that my \u2018Present Hedonistic\u2019 TP is likely a strong contributor to me being overweight.\u00a0 I like good food, lots of it, and I don\u2019t like to deprive myself of that pleasure in the present in order to achieve the desirable objective of future weight loss.\u00a0 With this insight, I can choose to work on strengthening my \u2018Future\u2019 perspective, which may, in turn, contribute to my long-term weight loss.<\/p>\nWhat are the different Time Perspectives?<\/h3>\n
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Why does this matter?<\/h3>\n
Why bother, then?<\/h3>\n