Why Time Seems to Pass Slowly for Unpleasant Experiences and Quickly for Pleasant Experiences: An Explanation Based on Decision Theory

Authors

Laxman Bokati, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow
Vladik Kreinovich, The University of Texas at El PasoFollow

Publication Date

7-1-2022

Comments

Technical Report: UTEP-CS-22-84

Abstract

It is known that our perception of time depends on our level of happiness: time seems to pass slower when we have unpleasant experiences and faster if our experiences are pleasant. Several explanations have been proposed for this effect. However, these explanations are based on specific features of human memory and/or human perception, features that, in turn, need explaining. In this paper, we show that this effect can be explained on a much more basic level of decision theory, without utilizing any specific features of human memory or perception.