This thesis examines cultural variations in time perception, as well as the possible influences on mental representation and decisions. Building on prior research on cultural differences in time-related perceptions, two main time perceptions were identified and focused on, namely temporal orientation and the use of time metaphor. The temporal orientation line of investigation explores the implications of a stronger future versus past orientation among English and Mandarin-speakers respectively. Based on Construal Level Theory, temporal orientation is expected to be related to psychological distance, which in turn affects the mental representations individuals form. The findings supported a stronger future orientation among English-speakers which is also evident in their mental representations that vary as a function of temporal orientation. However, Mandarin-speakers exhibited neither a strong past nor future orientation. A study examining the possible influence of temporal orientation on value judgment revealed a complex association between culture and value judgment. The time metaphor line of inquiry investigates the use of time metaphors among English and Mandarin-speakers and also the possible implications of such tendencies. Although previous psychological research implies a possible connection between the use of time metaphor and sense of personal control, this relationship is yet to be established. The findings showed supportive evidence of a frequent use of ego and time-moving metaphors among English and Mandarin-speakers respectively. However, studies examining the relationship between the use of time metaphor, perceived personal control, and decisions (optimism bias and risk-taking) revealed little supportive evidence of an association between them. The findings and a range of methodological and theoretical implications are discussed in the closing chapter.

Thesis (MA)--University of Montana, 2009. / Contents viewed on November 29, 2009. Title from author supplied metadata. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2002. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 224-229).

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Ohio University, November, 2009. / Title from PDF t.p. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2003. / Adviser: Phillip J. Holcomb. Submitted to the Dept. of Psychology. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 123-135). Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Humanities, Discipline of Philosophy, 20045. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Psychology, June 1999. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2010. / Committee Chair: Walker, Bruce; Committee Member: Bonebright, Terri; Committee Member: Catrambone, Richard; Committee Member: Corso, Gregory; Committee Member: Rogers, Wendy. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-80).

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