Perception of Time: Does Childhood or Adulthood Seem Faster?
Our experience is stored in our memories, located somewhere in the brain, a location that remains a mystery to science. Assumptions exist, but our perception of time certainly changes with age. The experiences and the world around us appear differently at different stages of life. However, the speed at which time seems to pass is often influenced by an individual’s intelligence and experience.
Isaac Newton once said, 'Time is a illusion. Robbed of it, we doubt the sun moves.' Beyond philosophical musings, scientific research often focuses on the quantifiable aspects of life, which may not include the subjective experience of time varying by age. In contrast, the qualitative experience of the human passage of time is more profoundly affected by age, experience, and personal circumstances.
Why Does Time Seem to Move Faster as We Age?
Firstly, we are generally busier as we get older. Our lives are filled with structured activities, responsibilities, and commitments, leading to a perception that time is moving faster.
Secondly, people with more experience often notice time passing more quickly. We've seen more, learned more, and experienced more. Our minds "cut out" information more efficiently, leaving less trace in our memories. For example, when driving a familiar route repeatedly, we may remember almost nothing about it unless something unusual happened. This phenomenon reflects the human brain's ability to process and filter information, which also affects our perception of time.
Individual Perceptions of Time
Experience and individual circumstances can significantly influence how quickly time seems to pass. For instance, a common complaint among people in their retirement years is that life seems to be passing them by. After a lifetime of activity and engagement, this can make time appear to move more quickly.
However, this is not universal. Some individuals, like the 65-year-old mentioned, live such active and engaged lives that they barely notice time passing. For them, the past is unchangeable and not relevant, leading to a perception of constant, unhurried time. Their focus on the present and aspirations for the future negates the sense of time losing its grip.
Personal Accounts and Research Observations
Every person's experience with time is unique. Some individuals, like the 65-year-old, have a perception of time shifting dramatically over different periods of their lives. This observation varies widely, with different times in life being perceived as extremely slow or extremely fast.
A specific personal account from someone who has noticed varying rates of time perception throughout their life illustrates this point. Time moved extremely quickly before the age of 8, then became slow from age 8 to 14. It sped up again from 14 to 18, then slowed down again until age 21, and then sped up from 21 to 26. Since November 2019, it has been perceived as the slowest crawl of their life.
Psychological theories suggest that the perception of time is strongly influenced by cognitive processes and emotional engagement. Research has shown that when people have engaging and purposeful activities, their perception of time is altered. According to Daniel Kahneman, time appears faster when individuals are busy and engaged in tasks, which might explain why certain periods of life feel as if they are speeding by, while others drag along slowly.
Conclusion: Personal Experience Shapes Time Perception
The subjective experience of time drastically changes as we age. Childhood and adulthood are distinct phases that affect our perception of time in different ways. Childhood is often perceived as a continuous flood of experiences, while adulthood involves a more structured and purposeful existence. However, each stage of life has its unique rhythm and tempo, and what seems like a long time in one age may feel short in another, depending on personal activities and circumstances.
Ultimately, the perception of time is deeply personal, and it is shaped by individual experiences and the nature of our lives at different stages. Understanding this complex interplay can help us appreciate the unique qualities of each phase of life and live more consciously in the present moment.