[P1] Poster: Day 1

[P1-13] Emotional Modulation of Time: The Role of Arousal, Valence, and Subjective Activation in an Immersive VR

*Luigi Micillo¹, Nicola Cellini¹, Jacopo Barbiero¹, Fiorella Del Popolo Cristaldi¹, Giovanna Mioni¹ (1. Department of General Psychology - University of Padova (Italy))

Keywords:

Time Perception,Valence,Emotions,Physiological Arousal,Perception of Activation

Temporal ability and human existence are closely intertwined. Yet, temporal processing is a delicate function, susceptible to various influences. One notable example is the way emotional experiences can distort our perception of time—an effect traditionally attributed to arousal. However, a clear understanding of this relationship remains elusive. The present study aims to deepen this knowledge by examining the specific contributions of physiological arousal, perceived activation, and emotional valence to temporal distortions. To this end, 41 participants (mean age = 22.93, SD = 1.82) completed three temporal tasks—free tapping, time production, and retrospective judgment—while viewing three emotional videos (negative, neutral, and positive) presented in an immersive virtual reality environment. To assess emotional valence and perceived activation, we employed the Self-Assessment Manikin (SAM), while physiological arousal was measured using electrocardiography (ECG) and electrodermal activity (EDA). The results showed that emotional videos significantly affected valence ratings but not perceived activation. Nonetheless, physiological data revealed sustained sympathetic activation during both emotional conditions, as indicated by elevated skin conductance levels (SCL). Regarding temporal performance, no significant effects were observed for the retrospective judgment or free tapping tasks. However, in the time production task, participants tended to overestimate durations during negative videos and underestimate them during positive ones—an effect modulated by the order of video presentation. Taken together, these findings highlight the importance of considering both subjective and physiological factors in understanding how emotionally induced arousal influences time perception.