How being in a hurry reveals our true personalities
Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
As a marriage and family therapist, I often emphasize that time is the very essence of life.
It's fascinating how our true selves emerge under the strain of time pressure, a phenomenon that could be described as "being in a hurry" — the way our authentic traits are exposed when we're harried and in a hurry.
This exposure raises profound questions about our nature and the role of time in shaping our identities.
Recent research has revealed that being in a rush can amplify our inherent tendencies. This study, published in Nature Communications, found that time pressure makes selfish people even more selfish and good-hearted individuals even nicer.
Essentially, when we're hurried, we revert to our most deeply ingrained behaviors.
Dr. Ian Krajbich, the study's co-author, explained:
“People start off with a bias of whether it is best to be selfish or pro-social. If they are rushed, they’ll tend to go with that bias.”
How the study was conducted
In this research, 102 participants played an economic game where they had to decide whether to sacrifice some of their own money to increase another person's payoff, thereby reducing inequality. Sometimes, participants had only two seconds to make a decision, while at other times, they had ten seconds.
Dr. Krajbich elucidated:
“We found that time pressure tends to magnify the predisposition that people already have, whether it is to be selfish or pro-social. Under time pressure, when you have very little time to decide, you’re going to lean more heavily than usual on your predisposition or bias of how to act.”
This insight aligns with the idea that "being in a hurry" is often the price of above-average success. The constant rush in our fast-paced lives pushes us to act on our default settings, revealing our true characters.
Dr. Krajbich further noted how forced delays can alter decisions:
“People may still approach decisions with the expectation that they will act selfishly or pro-socially, depending on their predisposition. But now they have time to consider the numbers and can think of reasons to go against their bias. Maybe you’re predisposed to be selfish, but see that you only have to give up $1 and the other person is going to get $20. That may be enough to get you to act more pro-socially.”
In essence, when given more time, people can override their initial biases, making more calculated and often more generous decisions. This study provides valuable insights into human behavior, especially in our high-speed society where time is always in short supply. It highlights the importance of self-awareness and the impact of our predispositions on our actions, particularly when we're under pressure.
Deeper Musings on Time and True Self
What is the true self? When we're under time pressure and our most ingrained behaviors surface, are we seeing our true selves? Or is our true self revealed when we have time to reflect and make considered decisions?
Is success worth the rush? If being constantly hurried is the price of above-average success, what are we sacrificing in terms of our mental health, relationships, and overall happiness?
Can we change our predispositions? If our default tendencies are amplified under time pressure, how can we train ourselves to develop more positive biases? Is it possible to fundamentally change our predispositions, or are they set in stone?
How does time shape our morality? The ability to take time to reflect allows for more moral and generous decisions. What does this say about the nature of morality? Is morality a luxury of the unhurried… or is it something we can cultivate even in a fast-paced world?
What role does society play in our rush? In a culture that often values speed and efficiency, how can we create environments that allow for thoughtful decision-making? What changes can we make on a societal level to reduce the constant pressure to hurry?
Final thoughts
Dr. Krajbich's and his team's findings underscore the critical role of time in shaping our decisions and behaviors.
Understanding how time pressure influences us can lead to better decision-making and deeper self-awareness.
But let’s occassionally reflect on these deeper questions. It might help appreciate the profound impact that our relationship with time has on our lives and the lives of those around us.
Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.
RESEARCH:
Chen, F., & Krajbich, I. (2018). Biased sequential sampling underlies the effects of time pressure and delay in social decision making. Nature Communications, 9(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-05994-9
