- Title
- Time experience and judgement in depression : A theory of isomorphic general relativity (TIGR)
- Creator
- Kent, Lachlan
- Date
- 2019
- Type
- Text; Thesis; PhD
- Identifier
- http://researchonline.federation.edu.au/vital/access/HandleResolver/1959.17/170938
- Identifier
- vital:14231
- Abstract
- This thesis presents studies assessing aspects of time experience and judgement in depression. It focuses on a phenomenon called time dilation, which is the perception of slow temporal flow in conscious experience. This thesis by publication explains a novel theory of time dilation in depression, called the Theory of Isomorphic General Relativity (TIGR), and elaborates this theory to propose a general framework for consciousness and cognition according to timescale. The final outcome is a dual-pronged theory of time consciousness and the experience of time dilation in depression that has the same form as Einstein’s (1920) general theory of relativity. The thesis begins with a published paper called “Duration perception versus perception duration: A proposed model for the consciously experienced moment” (Kent, 2019). This paper defines temporal flow in conscious experience in terms of an interval of time perception known as the ‘experienced moment’ (Wittmann, 2011). In this paper, I reviewed evidence for a view of time dilation in depression that is distinct from either immediate sensory integration or working memory (WM) activity. The thesis continues with a second published paper called “Time dilation and acceleration in depression” (Kent, Van Doorn, & Klein, 2019) that reviews the literature specific to time perception in depression, and meta-analytically tests the preceding definition of time dilation within the experienced moment. This paper also details the experimental methodology used and proposes the TIGR as a descriptive and explanatory theory of time perception. xx The third published paper, “Bayes, time perception, and relativity: The central role of hopelessness” (Kent, Van Doorn, Hohwy, & Klein, 2019), formulates and tests the TIGR in a time perception experiment using the methodology outlined in the second paper. The time judgement and experience data of 64 participants, with and without sub-clinical symptoms of depression, were analysed using a statistical version of a Bayesian prediction error minimisation framework called ‘distrusting the present’ (Hohwy, Paton, & Palmer, 2016). The results showed that hopelessness was associated with slower time experience, while arousal was associated with faster time experience. The paper also supported the use of a relative difference equation to model these effects. This relative difference equation has the same general form as a basic general relativity equation used to calculate time dilation due to gravity, called the Schwarzschild metric (Schwarzschild, 1916). The fourth paper, “Time perception in depression: A perceived delay cues feelings of hopelessness” (Kent, Van Doorn, Hohwy, & Klein, under review), is under review by the journal Acta Psychologica. It looks more closely at the experimental effect reported in the third paper to explore the clinical implications of an increase in hopelessness caused by a brief time production task. The analysis showed that a particular sub-factor of the Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS) called ‘feelings of hopelessness’ was more affected than other facets of hopelessness (Beck, Weissman, Lester, & Trexler, 1974). The fifth paper, “Systema temporis: A time-based dimensional framework for consciousness and cognition” (Kent, Van Doorn, & Klein, under review), is currently under review by the journal Consciousness and Cognition. In this paper, we extend elements of the TIGR related to consciousness in the first four papers xxi to argue that time consciousness can be used to systematise aspects of consciousness and cognition. The paper proposes a hierarchical framework that reflects the commonly-conceived structure of memory, intelligence, and emotional intelligence. This framework integrates aspects of consciousness including experience, wakefulness, and self-consciousness. The final paper, submitted to the journal Personality and Social Psychology Review and entitled “Systema psyches: A time-based framework for consciousness, cognition and related psychological and social theories” (Kent, Van Doorn, & Klein, submitted) extends the ‘Systema Temporis’ paper to incorporate extended timeframes and theories of social cognition including personality, cognitive and moral development, and personal values. The analysis suggests that time consciousness is also a facet of collective experience and so, in framing the closing discussion around time dilation in depression, the thesis concludes that the TIGR extends beyond the narrow domain of individual psychopathology to incorporate timescales of collective memory and human evolution.; Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- Federation University Australia
- Rights
- Copyright Lachlan Kent
- Rights
- Open Access
- Rights
- This metadata is freely available under a CCO license
- Subject
- Depression; Time perception; Consciousness; General relativity; Working memory
- Full Text
- Thesis Supervisor
- Britt Klein
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