48
www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2023.66.06.5
How to Cite:
Lotskaya, N., Aryabkina, I., Bulanova, S., Ponomareva, M., & Flotskiy, N. (2023). Development of time perspective in nenets, Sami
and Russian adolescents: A comparative analysis. Amazonia Investiga, 12(66), 48-54. https://doi.org/10.34069/AI/2023.66.06.5
Development of time perspective in nenets, Sami and Russian
adolescents: A comparative analysis
Desarrollo de la perspectiva del tiempo en adolescentes nenets, Sami y Rusos: Un análisis
comparativo
Received: May 17, 2023 Accepted: June 4, 2023
Written by:
Natalia Flotskaya1
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1755-0901
Irina Aryabkina2
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8765-2153
Svetlana Bulanova3
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9604-2958
Maria Ponomareva4
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2300-7550
Nikolay Flotskiy5
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1079-142X
Abstract
This paper is concerned with the issue of
studying specific features of the development of
time perspective in adolescents representing
different ethnic groups living in the North of
Russia. The study includes a comparative
analysis of the development of time perspective
in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian male and
female adolescents.
The current article presents the results of an
empirical study conducted using the Zimbardo
Time Perspective Inventory. The respondents in
the empirical study were 99 Nenets adolescents
aged 12-15 years (54 boys and 45 girls); 79 Sami
adolescents aged 12-15 years (41 boys and 38
girls); 121 ethnic Russian adolescents aged 12-
15 years (63 boys and 58 girls).
The comparative analysis of the development of
time perspective in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic
Russian adolescents has shown the presence of
similar trends characteristic of the age group in
general, and specific features at the same time.
1
Doctor of Psychology, director of Higher School of Psychology, Pedagogy and Physical Education, Northern Arctic Federal
University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Russian Federation.
2
Doctor of pedagogical sciences, professor of the Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University, professor of the Ulyanovsk State
University, Russian Federation.
3
Candidate of Pedagogy, vice director of Higher School of Psychology, Pedagogy and Physical Education, Northern Arctic Federal
University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Russian Federation.
4
Candidate of Psychology, associate Professor of the Department of Special Pedagogy and Psychology Northern Arctic Federal
University named after M.V. Lomonosov, Russian Federation.
5
Candidate of Psychology, Lecturer at the Department of Foreign Languages and Russian as a Foreign Language, Northern State
Medical University, Arkhangels.
Lotskaya, N., Aryabkina, I., Bulanova, S., Ponomareva, M., Flotskiy, N. / Volume 12 - Issue 66: 48-54 / June, 2023
Volume 12 - Issue 66
/ June 2023
49
http:// www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
The results of the study enrich the scientific
understanding of the phenomenon of time
perspective, supplement and expand the
understanding of the process of personality
formation in representatives of different ethnic
groups living in the North of Russia. The
identified features of time perspective in
adolescents will help to supplement the programs
of psychological assistance and support for
adolescents in the aspect of building life
strategies, implementing capabilities of
forecasting life prospects and managing time
resources.
Keywords: Time perspective, adolescence,
Nenets adolescents, Sami adolescents, ethnic
Russian adolescents.
Introduction
The ability to construct one’s own life prospects,
to perceive the boundaries of time, to understand
historical time and social time is an extremely
important component of psychological health of
a person. In the process of personality
development an individual must acquire an
ability not only to be sensible of time, but to
regulate it as well. Acquiring only social code is
not enough to live in the world, it is also
important to learn to apprehend the standards of
time. Personality formation cannot be complete
without acquiring the ability to set adequate goals
based on the analysis of real-life situations, and
to forecast possible changes in time. The starting
point which helps an individual to perceive
his/her life path, to divide life into periods, to set
expectations and goals, to develop one’s own life
strategy, in general can be seen as time
perspective.
Russia is a multiethnic and multicultural country.
Indigenous peoples, who live mainly in the
North, occupy a special place in the ethnic
composition of the country. The mode of life and
cultures of these peoples possess specific
features, and are very contingent on natural
conditions. All these aspects affect the processes
of identity and personality formation (Flotskaya
et al., 2021). In our opinion, development of time
perspective in indigenous adolescents has its own
specifics. At the same time, currently there are
practically no studies on the development of time
perspective in adolescents representing the
indigenous peoples of Russia, which makes our
study relevant. Our study includes a comparative
analysis of the development of time perspective
in adolescents representing different ethnic
groups living in the North of Russia. We assumed
that the development of time perspective in
Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian adolescent
boys and girls would have distinctive features. In
order to test this hypothesis, we have conducted
an empirical study.
Russia is a multiethnic and multicultural country.
Indigenous peoples, who live mainly in the
North, occupy a special place in the ethnic
composition of the country. The mode of life and
cultures of these peoples possess specific
features, and are very contingent on natural
conditions. All these aspects affect the processes
of identity and personality formation (Flotskaya
et al., 2021). In our opinion, development of time
perspective in indigenous adolescents has its own
specifics. At the same time, currently there are
practically no studies on the development of time
perspective in adolescents representing the
indigenous peoples of Russia, which makes our
study relevant. Our study includes a comparative
analysis of the development of time perspective
in adolescents representing different ethnic
groups living in the North of Russia. We assumed
that the development of time perspective in
Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian adolescent
boys and girls would have distinctive features. In
order to test this hypothesis, we have conducted
an empirical study.
In this article, the authors attempted to present a
brief review of the literature on an open problem,
the methods of the study and its results.
Materials and methods
The notion of time perspective was introduced in
psychology by K. Lewin as “the totality of an
50
www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
individual’s view of his psychological past and
psychological future existing at a given time in
the reality-irreality dimension of the life space”
(Lewin, 1980, p. 139). L.K. Frank characterized
time perspective as the life space of an
individual, comprising the past, the present and
the future (Frank, 1939). P.G. Zimbardo
considered different aspects of the subject’s
attitude towards various periods of their
existence, enclosed in the time frame of the past,
the present and the future. According to
Zimbardo, under the influence of certain operant
motives time perspective turns into a socially,
biologically, and sensory driven process
(Zimbardo, 2012).
The process of intensive development of time
perspective takes place in adolescence. In this
period, an individual begins to determine one’s
own life strategy, to create an image of the future
for oneself, thereby laying the foundation for
future life choices (Flotskiy, 2021). Development
of time perspective is related to the fact that by
the age of fifteen, adolescents develop a new
sense of time and continuity of life, which
provides them with the opportunity to compare
the past, the present and the future, to balance
their life goals against the amount of time needed
to achieve them. During this period emerges an
ability to assess one’s time and distribute it
optimally. According to E. H. Erikson, personal
identity of an adolescent is based on the
awareness of the past and the future, and
accumulates all the ideas about oneself into a
single whole (Erikson, 1996). O. A. Kozhurova
in her studies describes the assessment of the
present in adolescents as tense, but having
positive sentiment at the same time. For them, the
past is significant, the present seems long, bright,
optimistic, and they are less oriented towards the
future (Kozhurova, 2011). V. N. Petrova
(Petrova, 2011) and P. I. Yanichev (Yanichev,
2001), on the contrary, emphasize in their works
that adolescents are characterized by focusing on
the future. Studies conducted under the
leadership of L. A. Regush have proved that
future poses a significant problem for high school
seniors – it is a source of anxiety and discomfort
(Regush, 2010). Future imagined by adolescents
is often filled with fears, hopes and expectations
which form the horizon of possibilities and
prospective life trajectories (Carabelli, 2016).
V. G. Petrovskaya points out that hedonistic
motives, pursuance of pleasures, a certain degree
of disconnect from the past and the future are
inherent to adolescents due to their desire to
demonstrate maturity (Petrovskaya, 2020).
According to A. Syrtsova, there is one more side
to personality formation which affects the time
perspective of an individual – social adjustment,
which is closely related to family patterns,
predominant religious denominations, specific
features of the established educational system,
socio-economic characteristics (Syrtsova,
2008a). Specific circumstances of social
adjustment influence the time perspective of an
individual, determining the choice of life strategy
and self-fulfillment (Prokonich, 2012).
Affiliation of people with different social groups
determines particular characteristics of time
perspective developing in them (Nestik, 2014).
The study by M. Mead shows that orientation of
an individual towards the past, the present or the
future depends on the culture type prevalent in a
particular society (Mead, 1988). Significant
distinctions have been identified in the time
perspective of adults and students from Brazil,
India, Australia, and the USA (Syrtsova, 2007).
The study by P.G. Zimbardo shows differences
in time perspective in representatives of different
ethnic groups in terms of negative and positive
past, as well as fatalistic present (Zimbardo,
1999).
To identify specific features of time perspective
in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian male and
female adolescents, we have conducted an
empirical study in several regions of the Russian
North: the Arkhangelsk region, the Murmansk
region, and the Nenets Autonomous District. The
respondents in the study were 99 Nenets
adolescents aged 12-15 years (54 boys and 45
girls); 79 Sami adolescents aged 12-15 years (41
boys and 38 girls); 121 ethnic Russian
adolescents aged 12-15 years (63 boys and 58
girls). The sample consisted of 299 respondents
in total.
The Nenets are the descendants of the indigenous
population of the White Sea coast, they live in the
Nenets Autonomous District. Their traditional
occupation is reindeer breeding. Throughout the
year the Nenets move across tundra with their
herds of reindeer. Activities such as hunting and
fishing play an important role in summer. This
lifestyle has allowed the Nenets to preserve their
ethnic identity, traditions and culture.
The Sami are the smallest in number indigenous
people in the North of Russia. They are localized
in the village of Lovozero in the Murmansk
region, and live there together with ethnic
Russian population. In the past, the Sami used to
lead a semi-nomadic lifestyle. The social
structure of the contemporary Russian Sami is
characterized by inclusiveness in the present-day
Volume 12 - Issue 66
/ June 2023
51
http:// www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
society and preservation of interest in their
ancestry, culture, language and traditions.
In our study we used the Zimbardo Time
Perspective Inventory psychodiagnostic
technique adapted in Russian by A. Syrtsova
(Syrtsova, 2008b, pp. 101-109). This inventory
allows identification of the respondent’s attitude
towards different components of time
continuum. The inventory asks the respondents
to rate their degree of agreement or disagreement
with each of the 56 statements on a 5-point scale.
The Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory was
designed to assess such indicators as a negative
attitude towards the past, a positive attitude
towards the past, an orientation towards the
future, a fatalistic attitude towards the present,
and a hedonistic attitude towards the present. The
indicator of a negative attitude towards the past
(Past negative) reflects the degree of resentment
of one’s past, the negative emotions at the
memory of it. The indicator of a positive attitude
towards the past (Past positive) reflects the
degree of embracement of one’s past, the positive
character of memories, the assessment of the
benefits provided by any life experience. The
indicator of orientation towards the future
(Future) reflects the degree of orientation
towards the next stage of life, the presence of
goals and plans for the future in a person. The
indicator of a fatalistic attitude towards the
present (Present fatalistic) reflects the perception
of one’s fate as predetermined and beyond one’s
control. The indicator of a hedonistic attitude
towards the present (Present hedonistic) reflects
the pursuance of pleasures, the search for new
experience, the disconnect from one’s past and
future.
To organize the collection of empirical data, we
received written consent from parents or other
legal representatives of our adolescent study
participants. The collection of empirical data was
carried out in groups of 10-12 respondents.
Before testing, boys and girls indicated their age
and ethnicity in writing.
The obtained data were processed using SPSS
Statistics 22. To test our hypothesis, we used the
Student’s t-test for independent samples. This
method enabled us to identify significant
differences in the degree of manifestation of time
perspective components in Nenets, Sami, and
ethnic Russian male and female adolescents.
Results
In the course of studying the distinctive features
of time perspective development in indigenous
adolescents living in the North of Russia, we
have analyzed the specifics of time perspective
components in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian
boys and girls aged 12-15 years. The
manifestation of time perspective components in
Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian male
adolescents is presented in Table 1.
Table 1.
Perspective components in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian male adolescents (according to the results of
studies by Flotskaya, Aryabkina, Bulanova, Ponomareva, Flotskiy)
Time perspective
components
Nenets males
Sami males
Ethnic Russian males
Past negative
3.45±0,09
3.29±0.09
3.27±0.10
Present hedonistic
3.64±0,06
3.67±0.06
3.63±0.06
Future
3.04±0,07
3.17±0.07
3.12±0.09
Past positive
3.54±0,09
3.51±0.07
3.36±0.12
Present fatalistic
3.31±0.09***
3.00±0.09**
2.84±0.12***
Note: * - р ≤ 0.05; ** - р ≤ 0.01; *** - р ≤ 0.001.
The analysis of the obtained study results
regarding specific features of the development of
time perspective in adolescents has shown the
absence of significant differences in most
components of time perspective in Nenets, Sami,
and ethnic Russian boys. The predominant
component of time perspective in boys of all
three studied ethnic groups is Present hedonistic
– a hedonistic attitude towards the present, which
determines their orientation towards the present
and their satisfaction with the current moment.
This component is manifested in Nenets boys
(M=3.64±0.06), Sami boys (M=3.67±0.06), and
ethnic Russian boys (M=3.63±0.06) almost
identically. The next most pronounced
component is Past positive – a positive attitude
towards the past, reflecting the degree of
embracement of one’s past, a nostalgic attitude
towards one’s memories. This component is
almost equally manifested in Nenets boys
(M=3.54±0.09) and Sami boys (M=3.51±0.07),
while in ethnic Russian boys it is somewhat less
pronounced (M=3.36±0.12), which, in our
opinion, indicates that ethnic Russian male
52
www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
adolescents are less oriented towards reflecting
on the past. The Past negative component is
somewhat more pronounced in Nenets boys
(M=3.45±0.09) than in Sami boys
(M=3.29±0.09), and ethnic Russian boys
(M=3.27±0.10) of the same age. This indicator
reflects the rejection of one’s past, and
orientation towards either real or projected
negative memories. At the same time, the
indicator of orientation towards the future in the
structure of attitude towards the future is
manifested less than most other indicators in
Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian adolescents.
This shows that orientation towards the future is
less present among adolescents of the studied
ethnic groups, they do not have clearly defined
goals and plans for next stages of life. This
indicator is pronounced in Nenets boys less than
in Sami and ethnic Russian boys (M=3.04±0.07).
The Present fatalistic indicator, which reflects
the predetermined character of the present and
the future, the view of the results of one’s actions
as predestined, is manifested differently in
Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian adolescents. It
is significantly more pronounced in Nenets boys
(M=3.31±0.09) than in ethnic Russian boys
(M=2.84±0.12) (p<0.001) and Sami boys
(M=3.00±0.09) (p<0.01) of the same age. This
indicates the presence of a greater fatalism in the
attitude towards the present and the future among
Nenets boys.
The analysis of specific features of time
perspective development in Nenets, Sami, and
ethnic Russian adolescent girls has shown that
the representatives of the studied ethnic groups
are characterized by presence of both similar and
contrasting trends in the development of time
perspective components (Table 2).
Table 2.
Perspective components in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic Russian girls aged 12-15 years (according to the
results of studies by Flotskaya, Aryabkina, Bulanova, Ponomareva, Flotskiy)
Time perspective
components
Nenets girls
Sami girls
Ethnic Russian girls
Past negative
3.57±0.09
3.62±0.10*
3.34±0.10*
Present hedonistic
3.76±0.07
3.86±0.05
3.88±0.08
Future
3.11±0.08*
3.33±0.09
3.41±0.11*
Past positive
3.63±0.09
3.63±0.09
3.63±0.12
Present fatalistic
3.37±0.08***
3.00±0.11**
2.96±0.09***
Note: * - р ≤ 0.05; ** - р ≤ 0.01; *** - р ≤ 0.001.
The predominant component of time perspective
in Nenets girls (M=3.76±0.07), Sami girls
(M=3.86±0.05), and ethnic Russian girls
(M=3.88±0.08) is Present hedonistic, which
indicates the predominance of orientation
towards the present and satisfaction with the
current moment. In Nenets girls, this component
is slightly less pronounced than in their Sami and
ethnic Russian age-mates. The Past positive
indicator is manifested identically in the
representatives of all three studied ethnic groups,
which indicates the absence of any specifics in
the degree of acceptance of one’s own past and
nostalgic attitude towards one’s own memories.
While analyzing the specific features of the Past
negative component, we have identified a
tendency for this indicator to increase in Sami
girls (M=3.62±0.10) in comparison with their
ethnic Russian age-mates (M=3.34±0.10)
(p<0.05). These results indicate that Sami girls
are more oriented towards rejection of their past,
fixation either on real or on projected negative
memories. In terms of attitude towards the future,
there is a tendency towards an increase in the
manifestation of orientation towards the future in
ethnic Russian girls (M=3.41±0.11) in
comparison with their Nenets age-mates
(M=3.11±0.08) (p<0.05). These results indicate a
lesser degree of orientation towards the future
among Nenets girls, lack of clearly defined goals
and plans for next stages of life. The Present
fatalistic indicator is significantly more
pronounced in Nenets girls (M=3.37±0.08) than
in their ethnic Russian (M=2.96±0.09) (p<0.001)
and Sami (M= 3.00±0.11) (p<0.01) age-mates.
These results demonstrate a greater fatalism in
the attitude towards the present and the future
among Nenets girls, who focus more on fate, and
not on their own will.
Discussion
The comparative analysis of the development of
time perspective in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic
Russian adolescents helped us to identify both
similar and contrasting trends in the process.
Similar trends include the predominance of a
hedonistic attitude towards the present, a limited
orientation towards the future, and the
Volume 12 - Issue 66
/ June 2023
53
http:// www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
predominance of a positive attitude towards the
past. It should be noted that O. A. Kozhurova in
her study highlights the limited orientation
towards the future among adolescents as well
(Kozhurova, 2011), while V. G. Petrovskaya
(Petrovskaya, 2020) notes the hedonistic nature
of their attitude towards the present. Thus, these
particular features of the development of time
perspective in adolescents can be considered
general trends of the age group.
We can also highlight certain trends
characteristic of the representatives of different
ethnic groups. Thus, Nenets adolescents are
characterized by a more pronounced fatalistic
attitude towards the present, i.e. for them the
events in life are predestined and depend on fate
rather than on their own will. This trend is
statistically significant and is observed in both
boys and girls. S. V. Semyonova (Semyonova,
2006) and A. E. Menyashev (Menyashev, 2005)
in their studies noted a pronounced manifestation
of the mythological, irrational world perception
among representatives of indigenous peoples.
Additionally, Nenets adolescents are somewhat
less focused on their own future. In our opinion,
this is due to the centuries-long traditional way
of life and activities of the Nenets, which reduces
the ambition of Nenets adolescents to search for
their own life trajectory.
The Sami adolescents reveal more similarity with
their ethnic Russian age-mates in the
development of time perspective, and that, from
our point of view, is due to the greater degree of
assimilation of the Sami. Among the specific
features, one can distinguish a tendency towards
a more negative attitude of Sami girls towards
their past, which is manifested in a greater degree
of rejection of their past, fixation either on real or
on projected negative memories.
The development of time perspective in ethnic
Russian adolescents demonstrates no
pronounced distinctive features in comparison
with the representatives of other studied ethnic
groups. In our opinion, this can be explained by
the prevalence of ethnic Russians in the North of
Russia, in contrast to representatives of
indigenous small-numbered peoples.
Practical conclusions
The comparative analysis of the development of
time perspective in Nenets, Sami, and ethnic
Russian adolescents has shown the presence of
both similar trends, characteristic of the age
group in general, and specific features. The
results of the study enrich the scientific
understanding of the time perspective
phenomenon, supplement and expand the
understanding of the process of personality
formation in representatives of different ethnic
groups living in the North of Russia. The
identified features of time perspective in
adolescents will help to supplement the programs
of psychological assistance and support for
adolescents in the aspect of building life
strategies, implementing capabilities of
forecasting life prospects and managing time
resources.
Bibliographic references
Carabelli, G. (2016). Young people's orientations
to the future: navigating the present and
imagining the future. Journal of Youth
Studies, 19(8), 1-18.
Erikson, E.H. (1996). Identity: youth and crisis.
Moscow: Progress.
Flotskaya, N., Aryabkina, I, Bulanova, S.,
Ponomareva, M, & Flotskiy, N. (2021).
Development of Personal Identity Among
Saami Adolescents living in the Arctic
Territories of Russia. Wisdom, 19(3), 84-99.
(In Russian)
Flotskiy, N.S. (2021). Dynamics of time
perspective in ethnic Nenets adolescents.
Scientific opinion, 11, 101-109.
Frank, L. K. (1939). Time perspectives. Journal
of Social Philosophy, 4, 293-312.
Kozhurova, O.A. (2011). Specific features of
experiencing time in adolescents. Samara
Humanitarian Academy Bulletin. Series:
Psychology, 1(7), 31-38.
Lewin, K. (1980). Definition of “field at the
moment”. Reader on the history of
psychology. Moscow: Moscow State
University, pp. 131-145.
Mead, M. (1988). Culture and World of
Childhood. Moscow: The science.
Menyashev, A.E. (2005). Mythological in the
structure of the ethnic consciousness of
indigenous peoples of the Sakhalin Island:
(dissertation abstract, Cand. Psychol. Sc.)
Andrey Evgenievich Menyashev.
Khabarovsk.
Nestik, T.A. (2014). Social psychology of time:
state and prospects of research. Psychological
journal, 35(3), 5-19. (In Russian)
Petrova, V.N. (2011). Dynamics of the image of
the future in adolescence. Siberian
Psychological Journal, 41, 36-41. (In
Russian)
Petrovskaya, V.G. (2020). To the question of the
psychological life time of adolescents. World
54
www.amazoniainvestiga.info ISSN 2322- 6307
of culture, science and education, 3(82),
84-86. (In Russian)
Prokonich, O.A. (2012). Features of time
perspective in various cultural and value
types. Kemerovo State University Bulletin,
4-1(52), 185-192. (In Russian)
Regush, L.A. (2010). Life problems as an
indicator of the influence of society. In: L.A.
Regush (ed) Human mental development and
social influences: a collective monograph. St.
Petersburg: Russian State Pedagogical
University named after A.I. Herzen, pp. 7-22.
(In Russian)
Semyonova, S.V. (2006). Features of the
mythological identity of the indigenous
peoples of Kamchatka: (dissertation abstract,
Cand. Psychol). Far Eastern State University
of Transport, Khabarovsk, 19 p.
Syrtsova, A. (2008a). Age dynamics of time
perspective in a personality: (dissertation
abstract, Cand. Psychol. Sc.) Moscow,
Moscow City Psychological and Pedagogical
University, 317 p.
Syrtsova, A. (2008b). Adaptation of the
Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory.
Psychological Journal, 29(3), 101-109. (In
Russian)
Syrtsova, A. (2007). The phenomenon of time
perspective in different cultures (based on
research using the ZTPI methodology).
Cultural-historical psychology, 4, 19-31.
Yanichev, P.I. (2001). Subjective models of the
past, the present, and the future in
adolescence and youth. In: L.A. Regush (ed)
Our troubled teenager: understand and agree.
St. Petersburg: Russian State Pedagogical
University named after A.I. Herzen, Soyuz,
pp. 172-176. (In Russian)
Zimbardo, Р. G., & Sword, R. (2012). Overcome
PTSD with new psychology of time
perspective therapy. N.Y.: Willey.
Zimbardo, P. G. (1999). Putting time in
perspective: a valid, reliable individual-
differences metric. Journal of personality and
social psychology, 77, 1271-1288.