The top trumps of time: factors motivating the resolution of temporal ambiguity

Abstract

What factors motivate our understanding of metaphoric statements about time? English exhibits two deictic space–time metaphors: the Moving Ego metaphor conceptualizes the ego as moving forward through time, while the Moving Time metaphor conceptualizes time as moving forward towards the ego (Clark, 1973). In addition to earlier research investigating spatial influences on temporal reasoning (e.g., Boroditsky & Ramscar, 2002), recent lines of research have provided evidence that a complex of factors, such as personality differences, event valence, lifestyle, and emotional experiences, may also influence people’s perspectives on the movement of events in time – providing new insights on metaphor and its ability to reflect thought and feeling (e.g., Duffy & Feist, 2014; Duffy, Feist, & McCarthy, 2014; Margolies & Crawford, 2008; Richmond, Wilson, & Zinken, 2012). Probing these findings further, two studies were conducted to investigate whether the interpretation of a temporally ambiguous question may arise from an interaction between the valence of the event and aspects of the personality (Experiment 1) and lifestyle (Experiment 2) of the comprehender. The findings we report on shed further light on the complex nature of temporal reasoning. While this involves conceptual metaphor, it also invokes more complex temporal frames of reference (t-FoRs) (Evans, 2013), which are only partially subserved by space-to-time conceptual metaphors.

Which Is in Front of Chinese People, Past or Future? The Effect of Language and Culture on Temporal Gestures and Spatial Conceptions of Time

“…However, there are also alternative views regarding the metaphorical sagittal orientation of time by Chinese people. Given that an increasing number of studies have shown that humans' mental space-time mappings can be influenced by different factors (e.g., Casasanto & Bottini, 2014;Duffy & Evans, 2017;Duffy, Feist, & McCarthy, 2014;Saj et al, 2014;Santiago et al, 2007;Torralbo, Santiago, & Lup añez, 2006), it is possible that Chinese people's mental orientation of sagittal time may not only be affected by linguistic space-time metaphors but may also be shaped by additional influences such as culture (e.g., Boroditsky & Gaby, 2010;Floyd, 2016;Fuhrman & Boroditsky, 2010;Le Guen & Balam, 2012;N uñez et al, 2012;Santiago, Rom an, & Ouellet, 2011). Given that an increasing number of studies have shown that humans' mental space-time mappings can be influenced by different factors (e.g., Casasanto & Bottini, 2014;Duffy & Evans, 2017;Duffy, Feist, & McCarthy, 2014;Saj et al, 2014;Santiago et al, 2007;Torralbo, Santiago, & Lup añez, 2006), it is possible that Chinese people's mental orientation of sagittal time may not only be affected by linguistic space-time metaphors but may also be shaped by additional influences such as culture (e.g., Boroditsky & Gaby, 2010;Floyd, 2016;Fuhrman & Boroditsky, 2010;Le Guen & Balam, 2012;N uñez et al, 2012;Santiago, Rom an, & Ouellet, 2011).…”

“…For example, some believe that the ego faces the past (Alverson, 1994), whereas others believe that the ego can face both the past and the future (Ahrens & Huang, 2002). Given that an increasing number of studies have shown that humans' mental space-time mappings can be influenced by different factors (e.g., Casasanto & Bottini, 2014;Duffy & Evans, 2017;Duffy, Feist, & McCarthy, 2014;Saj et al, 2014;Santiago et al, 2007;Torralbo, Santiago, & Lup añez, 2006), it is possible that Chinese people's mental orientation of sagittal time may not only be affected by linguistic space-time metaphors but may also be shaped by additional influences such as culture (e.g., Boroditsky & Gaby, 2010;Floyd, 2016;Fuhrman & Boroditsky, 2010;Le Guen & Balam, 2012;N uñez et al, 2012;Santiago, Rom an, & Ouellet, 2011).…”

Multidimensional Models of Perfectionism and Procrastination: Seeking Determinants of Both

“…Researchers conducted a study using this idea and found that an individual's answer to a question about a moving deadline mirrored self-efficacy. Stronger emotional responses to a change in deadline were associated with a higher sense of agency [87]. We will examine the possible link between the space-time metaphor and both procrastination and perfectionism.…”

“…The space-time metaphor measures personality and temporal awareness through the metaphors of moving time and moving ego [87]. In the moving ego metaphor, time is conceived as a backdrop for which the "self" moves across and the moving time metaphor, time is conceived as the motion, while the "self" is stationary.…”

“…The moving time metaphor consists of a stationary observer who believes they have no power over time and events that will or have come to pass. The moving ego metaphor involves an active sense of agency, revolving around an ego that actively moves across time [ 87 , 88 ]. The time question, which is phrased as an event occurring on Wednesday has been moved back two days, is a common way to assess the space-time metaphor.…”