Subjective Time Perception and Socionics Parameters
The question of how humans perceive the objective flow of time has long intrigued philosophers, historians, psychophysiologists, psychologists, educators, and sociologists. By examining different types of subjective time perception, researchers have identified connections to personality traits such as adaptability, psychological maturity, social integration, and intelligence.
The goal of this work is to identify the socionic parameters associated with different types of subjective time perception.
I. Overview of Some Concepts of Subjective Time Perception
In the fields of history and philosophy, the most prominent works are those of Lev Gumilev and François Hartog, who explored the concept of "time" as it relates to ethnic groups, cultures, and their developmental periods. Their studies focused on types of historical thinking, which are closely tied to societal attitudes toward the past, present, and future at specific stages of development.
Lev Gumilev
At the level of ethnopsychology, Gumilev identified four "feelings of time":
- Ignorance of time: Time is seen as an abstraction with no practical use. Only concrete events are considered real.
- Passeeism: The past is perceived as the only objective reality. "The past has not gone; it lives within a person and accumulates as it moves forward."
- Actualism: The present is viewed as the sole objective reality. "People of this type want to live in the now and for themselves."
- Futurism: The future is considered the only reality, with the past and present ignored in favor of dreams and visions.
François Hartog
François Hartog categorized three types of historical thinking, with one type divided into two subtypes:
- Passeeism: The future is seen as an extension of the past, created entirely from historical patterns.
- Presentism: A focus on the present, manifesting either as passive consumption or active creation to leave a lasting mark in history.
- Futurism: Societal processes are oriented toward a visionary future that departs from past repetitions and becomes a guide for progress.
Individual-Level Time Perception
Beyond global-historical attitudes toward time at the ethnic level, significant attention has been given to studies that explore time perception at the individual level.
V. Kovalef identified four main types of personal time organization and attitudes toward time: ordinary, functional-active, contemplative-reflective, and creative-transformative lifestyles. These types differ in how individuals organize their lives, the focus of their temporal perspective, and the breadth of their perceived time range.
1. Ordinary Lifestyle
People with an ordinary lifestyle are characterized by social passivity, situational dependence on circumstances, impulsiveness, and immediate reactions. They tend to have narrow social connections, a superficial, static, stereotypical, and one-sided view of reality, and a limited temporal outlook.
2. Functional-Active Lifestyle
Individuals with a functional-active lifestyle are energetic and pragmatic, with a rigid, rational perception of the world. Their thinking style is sober and practical. Their time horizon is narrow and compressed, focusing mainly on present concerns and short-term future tasks, with long-term perspectives often taking on a utilitarian nature.
3. Creative-Transformative Lifestyle
A creative-transformative relationship with time is marked by deep, versatile, and realistic understanding of life's complex and contradictory processes. These individuals exhibit a well-developed sense of present time, productive and transformative activity in their lives, and optimal time management for various tasks. They have a broad temporal perspective.
4. Contemplative-Reflective Lifestyle
People with a contemplative-reflective lifestyle have an acute perception and subtle awareness of the complexity, contradictions, and variability of life processes in nature, other people, communities, and themselves. They prefer deep thought and reflection over external activity. For these individuals, the present social situation often loses significance, and their temporal perspective equally encompasses personal and cultural-historical pasts and futures.
Psychophysiological Perspective: Adaptation to Real Time
In the field of psychophysiology, the problem of human adaptation to the flow of real time is considered a necessary condition for successful orientation in the environment. B. Tsukanoff introduced the concept of a "personal time unit" (PTU), which acts as an individual "step" that measures the current time. Through experiments, Tsukanoff identified four coefficients correlating the duration of a person's PTU with objective time, determining whether subjective time perception leads or lags behind real-time flow.
- PTU = 0.7: Subjective time perception outpaces real time. These individuals are future-oriented.
- PTU = 0.88: Time perception is future-oriented but still retains interest in the present.
- PTU = 1.0: Subjective time flows in sync with real time, anchoring individuals to the present.
- PTU = 1.1: Subjective time lags behind real time, making individuals past-oriented.
Studies have shown that subjective time perception is influenced by the conditions and content of an individual’s activities. E. Gareeff found that increasing task complexity intensifies the tendency to underestimate time intervals, effectively accelerating subjective time flow compared to real time.
Remarkably, scientists from various disciplines, using diverse methodologies and technologies, have reached conclusions that align into a system of four types of subjective time perception:
- Focus on the past,
- Focus on the present in a static state,
- Focus on the present in a dynamic state,
- Focus on the future.
II. Socionics and Subjective Time Perception
This raises the question: what are the socionic parameters associated with different types of subjective time perception? The most logical hypothesis links specific types of time perception to the qualitative parameters of information processing—namely, the dimensionality of Model A functions.
1. Experience Parameters
Experience parameters describe individual or personal (social) experiences accumulated over a lifetime through decision-making and interaction. Information processing based on these parameters directs a person’s focus to the past, drawing on previously acquired knowledge. Manifestations of Model A functions that are limited to these parameters (e.g., the vulnerable and suggestive functions) involve the simple transfer of learned behavioral patterns into the present. As François Hartog classified it, this corresponds to "passeeism."
The stereotypical, one-sided, and superficial manifestations of the vulnerable and suggestive functions align with the "ordinary" lifestyle described by V. Kovalef. The reliance on familiar tasks and inability to address complex challenges using these functions slows subjective time flow, causing a lag relative to real time. This focus on the past aligns with a PTU coefficient of 1.1, as defined by B. Tsukanoff.
Considering the specific roles of the mental and vital rings in information processing, the vulnerable function processes information with delay, always relying on past data. Similarly, the suggestive function is slow to interpret incoming information, often realizing its value only after the source of the input is lost.
This type of time perception can be labeled as "past-focused."
Example: Past-Focused Time Perception
A brief example involves an ILE (ENTp) woman. After ten minutes of shifting uncomfortably in her chair, she finally concludes: "I picked the wrong chair—there’s a hole in the seat." Her one-dimensional introverted sensing took ten minutes to fully process the discomfort, even though the process had already begun when she first sat down.
2. Norm Parameters
Norm parameters describe the norms, rules, customs, practices, and standards (whether individual or social) that guide decision-making and management actions. Such information processing naturally shifts an individual's focus to the present. Actively asserting oneself in the social present (role function) or individual present (referent function) aligns with the functional-active lifestyle described by V. Kovaleff and the concept of presentism outlined by François Hartog.
Two-dimensional functions, in contrast to one-dimensional ones, can address more complex tasks. This accelerates subjective time flow compared to one-dimensional information processing. As a result, the subjective and real-time flow may align, corresponding to a PTU coefficient of 1.0, as defined by B. Tsukanoff.
This type of subjective time perception can be referred to as "static present," highlighting that two-dimensional functions enable individuals to respond to current processes in their real-time position but without understanding the developmental trends of these processes.
The role function evaluates and responds to incoming information as it is received, but without clear foresight into its implications. The referent function actively and promptly reacts to incoming information, focusing on the process itself rather than long-term perspectives. Such perspectives might be vaguely acknowledged but are not concretely envisioned.
A typical feature of role-function reactions is shortsightedness and the lack of strategy in actions taken. Responses often do not correspond well to the situation (either underreacting or overreacting). The outcomes of role-function actions frequently surprise the individual. For instance, individuals with a role extroverted sensing function might take on excessive responsibilities in a burst of social self-assertion, only to realize during execution that the burden is too heavy to bear.
3. Situational Parameters
Situational parameters describe the conditions or "context" (individual or social) in which decisions are made or actions are carried out. These parameters reflect the characteristics of the present moment. The introduction of creativity, characteristic of Model A functions associated with situational parameters (creative and restrictive functions), can be described as introducing dynamics into the present.
Essentially, this third parameter of information processing allows individuals to think through immediate moments, construct, and introduce new information, thereby altering current trends. In Kovaleff's classification, this interaction with reality corresponds to the creative-transformative lifestyle and aligns with the active-creative subtype of presentism described by François Hartog. Three-dimensional functions solve genuinely complex problems, accelerating subjective time flow to outpace real-time processes. However, this acceleration remains anchored in the present, which corresponds to a PTU coefficient of 0.88, as described by B. Tsukanoff.
Dynamic Present
This type of subjective time perception can be described as the "dynamic present," emphasizing that three-dimensional functions allow individuals to respond to current reality while considering desired changes.
The creative function, operating in the mode of the dynamic present, captures events as they occur and makes decisions based on maintaining (or altering) the dynamics and trends of the process. Essentially, this is creativity in the present.
The restrictive function, when making decisions in the dynamic present, is primarily oriented toward critiquing and interrupting developments that it considers unfavorable.
Parametric Time
Parametric time refers to moments of individual or social time—past, present, or future—relative to which individual or social decisions are made or actions are carried out. According to V. Kovaleff, a specific psychological mechanism called individual temporal perspective (ITP) facilitates subjective regulation of time.
This concept represents a comprehensive vision from the present into the past and future, enabling individuals to perceive the flow of their lives in any temporal direction. ITP allows individuals to relate past, present, and future and integrate these temporal components into both their consciousness and subconsciousness.
Temporal perspective is both a subjectively given construct in self-awareness and a unique psychological mechanism. Key ideas that explain the essence of temporal perspective include "sensory-cognitive review" and "subjective-value generalization and relation," which emerge through life experiences.
Characteristics of Parametric Time
From the definition of the fourth parameter of information processing, it follows that parametric time defines the maximum breadth of temporal perspective. This is characteristic of the contemplative-reflective lifestyle (as per V. Kovaleff) and uniquely enables glimpses into distant futures, which become central in François Hartog's futurism.
Four-dimensional functions are distinguished by their ability to solve complex, global, and multifaceted problems with high speed. In practice, individuals often cannot articulate the reasoning behind conclusions reached through these functions. Solutions arise almost instantaneously, and breaking the information processing into steps is often impossible for the individual.
Subjective time flow accelerates to its maximum relative to real time, with individuals thinking ahead and orienting toward the future. This corresponds to a PTU coefficient of 0.7, as defined by B. Tsukanoff.
This type of subjective time perception can be referred to as "future," both in the sense that the individual’s interest in information processing through four-dimensional functions is future-oriented and in the sense that the global vision enabled by the fourth parameter of information processing allows individuals to enhance the present with possibilities that can be realized in the future.
Role of Four-Dimensional Functions
The base function, in its focus on the future, is aimed at forecasting. Its decisions are rooted in the prospects (or lack thereof) that it perceives in the future.
The background function, also future-oriented, is specific to the Id block and focuses on warnings. Its decisions are based on dangers (or their absence) that it anticipates.
Understanding the Term "Forecast"
In socionics, the term "forecast" is often associated exclusively with the aspect of introverted intuition. However, a forecast is "a conclusion about future developments and outcomes based on specialized research." Thus, forecasting can be understood as a principle of information processing that applies to various types of information.
For example, the ability of four-dimensional introverted sensing to predict the taste of an unfamiliar dish based solely on reading its recipe is, in essence, forecasting. Similarly, the ability of four-dimensional introverted ethics to sense a kindred spirit in a barely familiar individual before the relationship develops is also a form of forecasting.
Example of Forecasting in Action
Consider the case of an SLI (ISTp) man. After some time in a room, he remarks, "It’s starting to feel stuffy." He then proceeds to find a window he can open, fiddles with the locks, and uses available materials to construct a mechanism to keep the window open. His initial statement explicitly forecasts the development of the situation—it is not yet stuffy, but without intervention, the air will become unbreathable. This decision is driven by the forecast, and the creative extroverted logic then works to alter the present trends, influencing the situation’s development.
Temporal Perspective in Socionics
The scope of temporal perspective, the type of subjective time perception, and the nature of information processing for each Model A function can be summarized as follows:
Temporal Perspective and Function Roles
| Function | Temporal Perspective | Information Processing Role |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Past, Static Present, Dynamic Present, Future | Forecasting |
| Creative | Past, Static Present, Dynamic Present | Creation |
| Role | Past, Static Present | Participation |
| Vulnerable | Past | Awareness |
| Suggestive | Past | Acceptance |
| Referent | Past, Static Present | Response |
| Restrictive | Past, Static Present, Dynamic Present | Criticism |
| Background | Past, Static Present, Dynamic Present, Future | Warning |
III. Conclusions and Hypotheses
- Most situations and events in a person's life, and the information they perceive, are multi-aspectual and processed by all Model A functions. However, each function processes information at a different speed, affecting the time required to fully understand a situation. This can range from fractions of a second to months, depending on the familiarity or complexity of the information and the slower processing of one-dimensional functions.
- Comparing subjective and real-time flow reveals the synchronicity and sequence of functions reacting to current reality. The fastest and most anticipatory four-dimensional base and background functions immediately generate forecasts and warnings about potential developments. The tandem of creative and restrictive functions adjusts the dynamics and trends of observed processes. Role and referent functions participate in the present, while vulnerable and suggestive functions understand the events with a delay.
- Gumilev noted that every individual simultaneously experiences all types of time perception, but one typically dominates. Emphasis on a particular Model A function likely fixes a person in the type of subjective time perception associated with that function and one of the lifestyles described by V. Kovaleff.
- Examining the evolution of various processes within the social present and the formation of social stereotypes reveals the temporal participation of individuals with different TIMs in these processes. When discussing participation in societal processes, we refer to the mental ring functions of Model A, as the vital ring functions tend to control these processes rather than create them.
Examples: Socionics Temporal Processing
For example, in the domain of introverted sensing (Si):
- The base Si (SLI, SEI) forecasts that a dish made with pork and apricots will taste good.
- The creative Si (LSE, ESE) takes this idea and prepares the dish in the dynamic present, bringing the idea to fruition and sharing it.
- The role Si (ILI, IEI) in the static present notes that pork is now commonly prepared with apricots and follows the recipe learned from the creative function.
- The vulnerable Si (LIE, EIE) simply enjoys eating the dish and later recalls that it tasted good.
Thus, in terms of temporal sequence, individuals act as innovators with their base function, followers with their creative function, participants with their role function, and witnesses with their vulnerable function.
This flow of information also illustrates how original ideas transform into social stereotypes. Such processes often involve minor aspects, such as new words, household inventions, or recipes, which, through informal communication, become banal and familiar within six months to a year.
Summary
The presented hypothesis deepens our understanding of how each function processes information, links the concept of information metabolism to lifestyle and social adaptation, and reveals new aspects of TIM manifestations, including distortions and emphases. This is not an exhaustive list of questions that can be clarified by incorporating the concept of subjective time perception into socionics theory.