Predicting the Perceived Flow of Time From Qualities of Activity and Depth of Engagement

Framed in an ecologically grounded and event-based perspective, this study examined perceived temporality during participation in everyday activities for 35 students. Students completed up to 140 experience-sampling surveys rating activity features over 18 days. Structural modeling was used to examine the covariance structures of 8 variables. Differences in speed of perceived time in passing are predicted from 2 variable groups: (a) activity features (novelty, skill, and complexity), and (b) a participation factor (emotional and intellectual engagement, focus on self, and focus on activity). Path coefficients suggest that activity features, along with individuals' skill use, significantly predict the engagement factor, which in turn predicts temporality. A 2-way path between temporality and engagement suggests that increased engagement led to increased perceived speed of time in passing, which in turn increased engagement.