Modulating time perception – effects of clock manipulations on perception and cognition

• Applicant: Dr. Christoph Freiherr von Castell, since 11/2020
• Subject Area: General, Cognitive and Mathematical Psychology
• Term: from 2020 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 449448882

Time perception is influenced by cognitive processes and affective states. While a strong focusing of attention on specific objects (tasks, events, etc.) as well as positive affective states are related to an acceleration of perceived passage of time and a relative overestimation of time intervals, opposite effects are caused by perceptual deprivation and negative affective states. These relationships are well-known and have been investigated frequently. Yet, it has rarely been considered or tested whether it is possible to systematically modulate time perception by means of external clock manipulations in order to affect attentional and affective processes. In the planned experiments, these potential effects of clock manipulations are to be investigated in the context of time-perception research for the first time. With regard to the established pacemaker-accumulator (internal clock) models of time perception, the project results will provide implications for our understanding of the (causal) relationships and mechanisms between arousal, attention, and time perception (uni- or bi-directional?). Can an accelerated clock induce the impression of a fast passage of time, thereby increasing a subject’s arousal level and resource allocation on a given task?

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Ehemaliger Antragsteller: Professor Dr. Sven Thönes, until 10/2020 (†)