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The Mystery of Time: Why Is Our Perception So Different from Real Time?
In the fields of psychology and neuroscience, time perception or "time perception" refers to the subjective experience of time, which is measured based on an individual's perception of the duration of events. This subjective perception of time may differ greatly from the actual amount of time that has passed. Although it is impossible to directly understand another person's perception of time, scientific experiments provide the basis for objective research that unravels the mystery of how humans perceive time.
"The perception of time is not only a product of biology, but also a complex interaction of psychology."
Time perception can be divided into microsecond timekeeping (less than a second), interval timekeeping (seconds to minutes), and physiological rhythms (such as circadian rhythms). These different time frames are processed by different areas in the brain, so the perception of time is not a unitary process. Scientists have proposed many theories to explain the perception of time, two of the main ones being the intensity model and the inference model. The strength model assumes that memory traces persist over time, allowing us to infer the timing of events based on the strength of the memory; whereas the inference model emphasizes that the timing of events is inferred based on their relationship to known events.
"Studies have shown that rats can successfully estimate time intervals of about 40 seconds, suggesting that time estimation may be a low-level process."
Philosophers' understanding of time also provides a profound perspective on time perception. For example, the concept of the “illusory present” was first proposed by philosopher E.R. Clay and further developed by William James, who conceived of the illusory present as the prototype of all imagined time, a brief duration that we perceive immediately and constantly.
This subjective perception of time is not limited to humans; many animals also display the ability to estimate time. Studies have found that many animals, including vertebrates and invertebrates, can perceive and compare time intervals and durations within a certain range, which is very similar to humans.
For example, in experiments with goldfish, the fish were able to display active behavior before an expected electric shock, suggesting that they are able to recognize time intervals. Other birds, such as doves, have shown the ability to learn based on time and location, consistently searching for food in the morning or afternoon.
"Small animals are often better at sensing time at small scales, which may explain their superior agility over larger animals."
In addition, there is widespread interest in the interaction between time perception and sensory systems. The human sensory system processes different types of sensory information at different rates. For example, visual information is typically processed more slowly than auditory information, making it time for the brain to integrate the various sensory signals into a unified perception of time. This delay leads to an over-interpretation of perception, which affects how we experience current reality.
When faced with a rapid flow of visual and auditory information, our perception often forms various time illusions. For example, when the eyes make rapid gaze movements, the perception of time is distorted, a phenomenon known as jet lag. Under this influence, the human body often feels an extended sensory experience after experiencing the passage of time.
In general, the perception of time is influenced by many factors, from biology to psychology to ecology, all of which are components of time perception. Future research needs to explore these areas in depth to find the deeper biological and psychological mechanisms behind time perception.
How are human and animal perceptions of time similar and different? Are we able to gain a deeper understanding of the nature of time and its impact on our lives?
