The Individual Time Span Scales (ITSS): Introducing a self-report questionnaire to measure individual differences in the perception of time as duration

Abstract

Occasionally, time seems to stand still. At other times, it seems to fly. To what extent do relatively stable individual differences in the perception of time as duration exist? Individual temporal orientation has been studied extensively for time perspective and chronotype, but insufficiently for individual time span orientation. Yet, there are individual differences in the sampling rate at which the environment is monitored whilst neuronal systems specifically sensitive to motion, speed and duration perception exist (Hagendorf et al., 2011). To contribute to a better understanding of individual temporal orientation, a multi-study project (n = 2.176) was conducted to develop and validate a self-report questionnaire measuring individual time span orientation: the Individual Time Span Scales (ITSS). Structural validity was assessed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses suggesting two specific factors of slow and fast time span orientation as components of the global factor individual time span orientation. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined by comparison with personality factors, time perspective, and considerations of future consequences. Individual time span orientation was correlated with future time perspective and the consideration of future consequences: More future-oriented individuals tended to perceive time as running fast. Less future-oriented individuals tended to perceive time as moving slow.