Citation

Campbell LA, Bryant RA. Behav. Res. Ther. 2006; 45(6): 1389-1392.

Affiliation

School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.brat.2006.05.011

PMID

16860291

Abstract

Although time distortion is commonly reported during a traumatic experience, there is little research addressing the phenomenon. This study investigated the role of affect in time perception in a very stressful experience by indexing novice tandem skydivers' (N=76) levels of fear and excitement before the skydive and soon after landing. Estimations of how long skydivers thought their experience lasted were obtained after landing. Whereas increased fear was associated with the perception of time passing slowly, increased excitement was associated with the perception of time passing quickly. These data support models of time perception based on avoidance and approach motivations influencing time distortion.

Language: en