Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation
BackgroundThis study investigated the relationships between interoceptive signals, emotions, and time perception, with a particular focus on the mediating role of heart rate (HR). Emotional video stimuli were used to elicit specific emotional responses, while participants’ attentional focus was mani...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1610347/full |
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| author | Maria Volodina Maria Volodina Anna Rusinova Kristina Terenteva Vladimir Kosonogov Vladimir Kosonogov |
| author_facet | Maria Volodina Maria Volodina Anna Rusinova Kristina Terenteva Vladimir Kosonogov Vladimir Kosonogov |
| author_sort | Maria Volodina |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundThis study investigated the relationships between interoceptive signals, emotions, and time perception, with a particular focus on the mediating role of heart rate (HR). Emotional video stimuli were used to elicit specific emotional responses, while participants’ attentional focus was manipulated (internal vs. external) to examine its influence on temporal judgments.MethodsWe tested several hypotheses using a combination of linear mixed models and Bayesian mediation analysis. Emotional content, heart rate, attentional focus, and interoceptive accuracy were analyzed for their effects on time perception. Participants viewed 36 video clips designed to elicit positive, negative, or neutral emotions, and their duration estimation errors, normalized heart rates, and subjective ratings were recorded.ResultsEmotional content significantly influenced time perception. Negative and neutral videos were underestimated in duration, while positive videos showed smaller estimation errors. Heart rate partially mediated the effect of emotions on time perception, with slower heart rates linked to greater underestimation of durations. However, this mediating effect was smaller compared to other potential mechanisms not explored in this study. Contrary to prior research, no correlation was found between interoceptive accuracy and time perception precision, likely due to methodological differences in task design and measures of interoception. An internal focus of attention was associated with greater underestimation of time and lower normalized heart rate. However, no significant interaction was observed between attentional focus, heart rate, and emotional valence.ConclusionThese findings highlight the multifaceted nature of time perception, emphasizing the role of both physiological processes and subconscious interoceptive signals. The partial mediation of heart rate underscores its importance in shaping temporal judgments, while the lack of interaction with attentional focus suggests that these effects may be driven by unconscious mechanisms. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of how emotions and bodily signals interact to shape time perception and underscore the need for further research into individual differences and unconscious influences on temporal judgments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3b47471bce3b4a6f98a5d6dca672526c |
| institution | Matheson Library |
| issn | 1664-1078 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3b47471bce3b4a6f98a5d6dca672526c2025-07-03T05:26:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-07-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.16103471610347Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulationMaria Volodina0Maria Volodina1Anna Rusinova2Kristina Terenteva3Vladimir Kosonogov4Vladimir Kosonogov5Center for Bioelectric Interfaces, Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, RussiaInstitute of Neuroscience and Neurotechnologies, Federal State Autonomous Educational Institution of Higher Education “N.I. Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University”, Ministry of Health, Moscow, RussiaCenter for Bioelectric Interfaces, Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, RussiaInstitute for Cognitive Neuroscience, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, RussiaInstitute for Cognitive Neuroscience, Higher School of Economics University, Moscow, RussiaAffective Psychophysiology Laboratory, Institute of Health Psychology, Higher School of Economics University, St. Petersburg, RussiaBackgroundThis study investigated the relationships between interoceptive signals, emotions, and time perception, with a particular focus on the mediating role of heart rate (HR). Emotional video stimuli were used to elicit specific emotional responses, while participants’ attentional focus was manipulated (internal vs. external) to examine its influence on temporal judgments.MethodsWe tested several hypotheses using a combination of linear mixed models and Bayesian mediation analysis. Emotional content, heart rate, attentional focus, and interoceptive accuracy were analyzed for their effects on time perception. Participants viewed 36 video clips designed to elicit positive, negative, or neutral emotions, and their duration estimation errors, normalized heart rates, and subjective ratings were recorded.ResultsEmotional content significantly influenced time perception. Negative and neutral videos were underestimated in duration, while positive videos showed smaller estimation errors. Heart rate partially mediated the effect of emotions on time perception, with slower heart rates linked to greater underestimation of durations. However, this mediating effect was smaller compared to other potential mechanisms not explored in this study. Contrary to prior research, no correlation was found between interoceptive accuracy and time perception precision, likely due to methodological differences in task design and measures of interoception. An internal focus of attention was associated with greater underestimation of time and lower normalized heart rate. However, no significant interaction was observed between attentional focus, heart rate, and emotional valence.ConclusionThese findings highlight the multifaceted nature of time perception, emphasizing the role of both physiological processes and subconscious interoceptive signals. The partial mediation of heart rate underscores its importance in shaping temporal judgments, while the lack of interaction with attentional focus suggests that these effects may be driven by unconscious mechanisms. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of how emotions and bodily signals interact to shape time perception and underscore the need for further research into individual differences and unconscious influences on temporal judgments.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1610347/fulltime perceptionemotionsinteroceptionawarenessheart rate |
| spellingShingle | Maria Volodina Maria Volodina Anna Rusinova Kristina Terenteva Vladimir Kosonogov Vladimir Kosonogov Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation Frontiers in Psychology time perception emotions interoception awareness heart rate |
| title | Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation |
| title_full | Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation |
| title_fullStr | Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation |
| title_short | Interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation |
| title_sort | interoceptive signals and emotional states shape temporal perception through heart rate modulation |
| topic | time perception emotions interoception awareness heart rate |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1610347/full |
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