Emotional processes in development and dynamics of individual time perspective

Abstract

All five of Zimbardo’s dimensions of time perspective are associated with emotional experience. Well-being may be associated especially with those dimensions associated with vivid emotions, including past time perspectives. Relationships between time perspective and emotion may be mediated by both explicit and implicit cognitive processes. These processes include accessing autobiographical memory, cognitive appraisal and reappraisal, modeling future events in working memory, and strategic emotion regulation. Such processes may be adaptive in enhancing the quality of life or maladaptive in promoting and perpetuating negative affect. The concept of balanced time perspective captures the notion of an optimum configuration of the various perspectives described by Zimbardo. Conversely, severe imbalance may increase vulnerability to emotional psychopathology. Better understanding of the role of time perspective in the emotional dynamics of the individual may contribute both to enhancement of life satisfaction and social functioning and to therapy for disorders such as posttraumatic stress.