The Fatalistic Decision Maker: Time Perspective, Working Memory, and Older Adults’ Decision-Making Competence

Abstract

Prior research indicates that time perspective (TP; views of past, present, and future) is related to decision-making style. By contrast, no prior study considered relations between TP and decision-making competence. We therefore investigated associations between dimensions of the Swedish Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (S-ZTPI) and performance on the Adult Decision-Making Competence (A-DMC) battery in a sample of older adults (60–90 years, N = 346). A structural equation model involving four A-DMC components as indicators of a general DMC factor and the six TP dimensions as the predictors revealed a significant negative association between the Present Fatalistic dimension and DMC. Given that age-related differences were apparent in DMC and that Present Fatalistic orientation increased with age, we tested a model by which the age-related differences in DMC were mediated by age-related differences in Present Fatalistic attitudes and in working memory. The results were consistent with full mediation of the age effects, with Present Fatalistic and working memory jointly accounting for a substantial amount of the variance in DMC (51%). The finding that DMC among older adults, in particular more cognitively demanding aspects such as applying decision rules, can be undermined by increased present fatalistic attitudes and declines in working memory is discussed in terms of theoretical frameworks highlighting the contribution of both motivational and cognitive factors to effective decision making.

Human time perspective and its structural associations with voxel-based morphometry and gyrification

“…In the broader concept of processing of time on the neural level (Wittmann 2009 , 2013 ), temporal perspective goes beyond simple estimated comparisons of temporal features. Rather, in the conceptualisation put forward by Zimbardo and Boyd ( 1999 ), time perspective is thought to reflect a fundamental and pervasive (although often not conscious) factor in judgments, decision making and initiation of actions (Rönnlund et al 2019 ). In order to quantify deviations from optimal time perspective profiles the construct balanced time perspective has been introduced which refers to the mental ability to switch flexibly among time perspective in order to adapt to certain circumstances (Stolarski et al 2011 ; Zimbardo and Boyd 1999 ).…”

Time Perspective and the Risk of Developing Burnout: An Empirical Study among Different Blue-Collar Workers in Spain

“…Other studies have shown that a lack of autonomy and high demands have contributed to high levels of stress and a lack of job satisfaction in shipyard workers . The harsh environmental working conditions at the shipyard due to noise and air pollution [31] have a negative effect on the mental and physical health of blue-collar shipyard workers [50]. Other studies have found an association between physical work demands, a shortened expected working life [51], as well as men being more exposed to more physically demanding work and less support at work than women [52].…”

“…People are usually biased toward either the past, present or future, and this inclination has several psychological ramifications [30]. The three time periods perform a pivotal function in the interconnection between personal and communal experiences [1,31].…”

“…Research has identified multiple connections between personal characteristics and time perspectives. Personality is assessed as a relevant psychological variable related to emotional, motivational and social traits of human interactions [29,30], as well as to the requirements for positive and negative outcomes, mental health outcomes and personal fulfillment [32]; for instance, well-being, habits linked to good health [28], circadian rhythm [33], proneness to addiction, positivity, high self-confidence, unsafe driving [29][30][31][32][33][34] diligence, neuroticism, sociability and openness to new experiences and amiability [30][31][32][33][34][35]. Some experiences and consequences are derived from leisure; moreover, having or lacking spare time is related to different attitudes to life, and time perspective has an effect on most features of human conduct [36].…”

Is Reliance on the Affect Heuristic Associated With Age?

“…Further support for the assumption that older adults rely more strongly on their intuition or on heuristics stems from the fact that older adults are sometimes more biased in their judgments and decisions. For instance, some studies report that older adults exhibit stronger framing effects when choosing between sure and risky choice options (Kim, Goldstein, Hasher, & Zacks, 2006;Pu, Peng, & Xia, 2017;Reyna, Chick, Corbin, & Hsia, 2014;Rönnlund, Del Missier, Mäntylä, & Carelli, 2019;cf. Mata, Josef, Samanez-Larkin, & Hertwig, 2011;Mikels & Reed, 2009;Rönnlund, Karlsson, Laggnäs, Larsson, & Lindström, 2005;Watabene & Shibutani, 2010).…”