HRPYC81
Project 2 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
TIME PERSPECTIVE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ANXIETY AND RISKY
BEHAVIOUR AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
Time perspective refers to the cognitive process through which individuals perceive,
organise, and evaluate their experiences across past, present, and future dimensions
(Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014). This concept has been widely recognised as a foundational
aspect of human cognition, influencing various behaviours and psychological outcomes,
such as decision-making, mental health, and well-being (Stolarski et al., 2018). Time
perspective allows people to mentally transcend the present and make sense of their
experiences by placing them within temporal frameworks, thereby enabling them to plan,
reflect, and regulate their actions. This capacity is unique to humans and has important
implications for psychological functioning (Lewin, 1951; Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014).
In the South African context, understanding time perspective is particularly important due to
the country's historical, social, and economic challenges that shape individuals’ past
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
TIME PERSPECTIVE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ANXIETY AND RISKY
BEHAVIOUR AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
Time perspective refers to the cognitive process through which individuals perceive,
organise, and evaluate their experiences across past, present, and future
dimensions (Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014). This concept has been widely recognised as a
foundational aspect of human cognition, influencing various behaviours and
psychological outcomes, such as decision-making, mental health, and well-being
(Stolarski et al., 2018). Time perspective allows people to mentally transcend the
present and make sense of their experiences by placing them within temporal
frameworks, thereby enabling them to plan, reflect, and regulate their actions. This
capacity is unique to humans and has important implications for psychological
functioning (Lewin, 1951; Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014).
In the South African context, understanding time perspective is particularly important
due to the country's historical, social, and economic challenges that shape
individuals’ past experiences and future outlooks. Social inequality, unemployment,
trauma, and high levels of risky behaviour remain pressing concerns that affect
mental health and individual life choices (Keyser, 2017). Thus, time perspective may
serve as a useful psychological lens to explain these patterns and predict health-
related outcomes.
This research project seeks to examine how the five dimensions of time
perspective—past negative, past positive, present hedonistic, present fatalistic, and
future—relate to anxiety and risky behaviour among South African adults. By using
the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) and established psychological
measurements, the study aims to understand whether individuals with specific time
orientations are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety or engage in self-
destructive and impulsive behaviour. This research contributes to the broader field of
cognitive psychology by exploring how individual differences in temporal orientation
relate to two critical mental health and behavioural outcomes.
Project 2 Assignment 3 2025
Unique Number:
Due date: 2025
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
TIME PERSPECTIVE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ANXIETY AND RISKY
BEHAVIOUR AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
Time perspective refers to the cognitive process through which individuals perceive,
organise, and evaluate their experiences across past, present, and future dimensions
(Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014). This concept has been widely recognised as a foundational
aspect of human cognition, influencing various behaviours and psychological outcomes,
such as decision-making, mental health, and well-being (Stolarski et al., 2018). Time
perspective allows people to mentally transcend the present and make sense of their
experiences by placing them within temporal frameworks, thereby enabling them to plan,
reflect, and regulate their actions. This capacity is unique to humans and has important
implications for psychological functioning (Lewin, 1951; Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014).
In the South African context, understanding time perspective is particularly important due to
the country's historical, social, and economic challenges that shape individuals’ past
DISCLAIMER & TERMS OF USE
Educational Aid: These study notes are intended to be used as educational resources and should not be seen as a
replacement for individual research, critical analysis, or professional consultation. Students are encouraged to perform
their own research and seek advice from their instructors or academic advisors for specific assignment guidelines.
Personal Responsibility: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information in
these study notes, the seller does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all content. The buyer is
responsible for verifying the accuracy of the information and exercising their own judgment when applying it to their
assignments.
Academic Integrity: It is essential for students to maintain academic integrity and follow their institution's policies
regarding plagiarism, citation, and referencing. These study notes should be used as learning tools and sources of
inspiration. Any direct reproduction of the content without proper citation and acknowledgment may be considered
academic misconduct.
Limited Liability: The seller shall not be liable for any direct or indirect damages, losses, or consequences arising from
the use of these notes. This includes, but is not limited to, poor academic performance, penalties, or any other negative
consequences resulting from the application or misuse of the information provided.
, For additional support +27 81 278 3372
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
TIME PERSPECTIVE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH ANXIETY AND RISKY
BEHAVIOUR AMONG ADULTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1. INTRODUCTION
Time perspective refers to the cognitive process through which individuals perceive,
organise, and evaluate their experiences across past, present, and future
dimensions (Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014). This concept has been widely recognised as a
foundational aspect of human cognition, influencing various behaviours and
psychological outcomes, such as decision-making, mental health, and well-being
(Stolarski et al., 2018). Time perspective allows people to mentally transcend the
present and make sense of their experiences by placing them within temporal
frameworks, thereby enabling them to plan, reflect, and regulate their actions. This
capacity is unique to humans and has important implications for psychological
functioning (Lewin, 1951; Zimbardo & Boyd, 2014).
In the South African context, understanding time perspective is particularly important
due to the country's historical, social, and economic challenges that shape
individuals’ past experiences and future outlooks. Social inequality, unemployment,
trauma, and high levels of risky behaviour remain pressing concerns that affect
mental health and individual life choices (Keyser, 2017). Thus, time perspective may
serve as a useful psychological lens to explain these patterns and predict health-
related outcomes.
This research project seeks to examine how the five dimensions of time
perspective—past negative, past positive, present hedonistic, present fatalistic, and
future—relate to anxiety and risky behaviour among South African adults. By using
the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) and established psychological
measurements, the study aims to understand whether individuals with specific time
orientations are more likely to experience higher levels of anxiety or engage in self-
destructive and impulsive behaviour. This research contributes to the broader field of
cognitive psychology by exploring how individual differences in temporal orientation
relate to two critical mental health and behavioural outcomes.
