Stuff You Should Know Short Stuff: Why Does Time Speed Up As You Age?
Jan 1, 2020
Time really does seem to fly as we age, and it's not just in your head! Delve into fascinating theories that explain why our perception of time changes, including how youth experience time more accurately. Discover the impact of new experiences on slowing down that perceived acceleration. The contrast between childhood anticipation and adult familiarity reveals much about our varied experiences. With insights on dopamine’s role, you'll start to see why a year feels shorter as we grow older.
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Time Perception Study
- Psychologist Peter Mangan conducted a time perception study.
- Older people significantly overestimated a three-minute interval compared to younger participants.
Internal Clock Slowdown
- Our internal clocks might run slower as we age, making time appear faster.
- This is because we're measuring time against a slower internal baseline.
Biological Clock and Aging
- Biological processes slow down with age, like metabolism and heart rate.
- A child's faster metabolism may contribute to time seeming slower for them.