The phenomenon of time perspective across different cultures: Review of researches Using ZTPI scale

International audienceOne's preference for certain time orientations is influenced by many factors including culture. The aim of this research was to describe the phenomenon of time perspective in different cultures. The authors carried out re-evaluation of reliability and validity of the Russian version of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) scale and compared the findings with the original scale as well as with its adapted versions (French and others). The sample consisted of 1136 people aged 14 to 81 from eighteen Russian cities and was divided into seven age groups. As a result, the five-factor structure of the ZTPI was replicated on the Russian sample (reliability and validity proved to be quite high), although certain changes had been made to the test keys because of cultural differences. The five factors of the ZTPI that are similar both in Russian and French samples make it possible to carry out cross-cultural comparisons using this scale. It was also found that women have higher orientation to Past Positive and Present Fatalistic that men. People living in large cities score higher on Present Hedonistic and lower on Future than people living in small town

Time perspective profiles of cultures

This chapter summarises some results of the International Time Perspective Research Project, which is a collaborative cross-cultural study of time perspective carried out in 24 countries. The highlights of structural equivalence assessment study are presented, showing the cross-cultural invariance of 36 items of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) scale. The associations between country-level ZTPI scores and other culture-level indicators, including the Human Development Index and Hofstede cultural dimensions, are presented and discussed. Using hierarchical cluster analysis, five distinct profiles of time perspective were found (future-oriented, present-oriented, balanced, moderately fatalistic, and negative), and significant differences in the prevalence of these profiles across cultures were found. Implications and perspectives for future research are discussed