Putting time in perspective: How and why construal level buffers the relationship between wait time and aggressive tendencies

Dorit Efrat-Treister, Michael A. Daniels, Sandra L. Robinson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

We spend a substantial part of our daily life waiting, and unfortunately, wait time can fuel aggressive tendencies. Our study examines the relationship between wait time, perceived wait time, and aggressive tendencies from a construal level perspective. In Study 1, we found that the higher the construal level, the stronger the relationship between actual and perceived wait time and the stronger relationship between perceived wait time and aggressive tendencies. In Study 2, we manipulated construal level and found that power explains the moderating impact of construal on the wait—aggressive tendencies relationships. Results demonstrate the role of construal in explaining both perceived wait time and aggressive responses to long wait times, suggesting that mental construal influences both the psychological experience of time and the subsequent reaction to that experience. Overall, these results contribute to research on subjective time perspective by enhancing the knowledge and understanding of the determinants and effects of perceived wait time.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)294-309
Number of pages16
JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior
Volume41
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2020

Keywords

  • aggressive tendencies
  • construal level
  • power
  • time perception
  • wait time

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Psychology
  • Sociology and Political Science
  • General Psychology
  • Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management

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