It’s About Time: A Cross-Linguistic Comparative-Cognitive Analysis of the Effects of Language on Temporal Cognition
Thank you for your interest in taking part in my PhD research at the University of Cambridge. This study is part of my doctoral work in the Department of Psychology, exploring how the language you speak might influence your perception of time, your ability to remember the past, and how you plan for the future.
Key Points at a Glance
- What you’ll do: Listen to a short story (~6½ minutes), complete a reflection task (story-related, non-story-based, or maths control), answer demographic questions, then return for follow-ups.
- Time commitment: Initial session ~60 minutes. Follow-ups (at least one week later) up to 30 minutes each. Additional required memory tasks (sent by email) can be completed in one sitting. Optional extra tasks are available for additional prize entries.
- Incentives: £250 Amazon gift card (or the equivalent amount converted into your local currency) draw for completing the core tasks (initial session, memory tasks, and at least one follow-up). Each extra follow-up = another entry. Second £250 gift card draw for optional extra tasks (English only).
- Who can participate: Age 18+, fluent in English, German, Greek, or Spanish. Optional tasks are in English only but can be done by participants from any language group.
- Requirements: Use a computer for the best typing environment, ease of use, and compatibility with all tasks. Work in a quiet space with a stable internet connection.
Invitation to Participate
You are invited to take part in a research study being conducted by the University of Cambridge. Before taking part, please read the information below carefully. If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact the researcher at any time.
Purpose of the Study
This study explores how the language you speak may influence your perception of time and the way you recall or plan events.
Voluntary Participation
Participation is entirely voluntary. You may stop at any time without giving a reason. There are no penalties for choosing not to take part.
What You Will Be Asked to Do
The study involves several online tasks, completed across multiple sessions. In the initial session, which lasts approximately 60 minutes, you will listen to a short story (about 6½ minutes long) and then complete one of three induction tasks (story-related, non-story-based personal reflection, or maths control). You will also answer brief demographic questions (e.g. age, gender, native language).
About one week later, you will be invited to complete a brief follow-up session, lasting up to 30 minutes, where you will recall what you remember from the story. You may return for additional follow-ups (at least one week apart), and each one earns you extra entries in the prize draw.
After completing the initial task set, you will receive an email with links to two additional required memory tasks: a spatial memory task and a working memory task. These tasks are part of your core participation in the study and should be completed in a single sitting. You will also have the opportunity to take part in optional extra tasks, which earn you entries into a separate £250 Amazon gift card drawing. These optional tasks are available in English only, but can be completed by participants who completed the main study in any language.
Time Commitment
- Initial session: approximately 60 minutes
- Follow-up session (1 week later): up to 30 minutes
- Optional additional follow-ups: up to 30 minutes each (one per week)
- Memory tasks: variable, typically completed in one sitting
Benefits and Risks
There are no known risks or discomforts associated with this study. Some participants may enjoy the reflection-based tasks.
Incentives
All participants who complete the initial session, the two memory tasks, and at least one follow-up will be entered into the £250 Amazon gift card drawing (or the equivalent amount converted into your local currency). Each additional follow-up session (one per week) earns an extra entry. A separate second £250 Amazon gift card drawing is available for those who complete the optional extra tasks (details are shared by email after the initial session).
Confidentiality & Data Protection
Your responses will be kept strictly confidential. Personal data will not be shared outside the research team. Data will be stored securely in accordance with the University of Cambridge’s data protection policies. For more information: University of Cambridge Data Protection.
Who Is Conducting the Research
This research is led by Jeffery Pendleton, PhD student in the Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, under the supervision of Professor Nicola Clayton, FRS. If you have questions, contact: jrlp2@cam.ac.uk.
Ethical Approval
This study has been reviewed and approved by the Department of Psychology Research Ethics Committee at the University of Cambridge.
Consent
By clicking to begin, you confirm that you have read and understood this Participant Information Sheet; you have had the opportunity to ask questions; you voluntarily agree to take part in the study; you are at least 18 years old; you understand you may withdraw at any time; you understand anonymised data may be used for research dissemination; and you agree to the use of your data in accordance with University of Cambridge policy.
Technical Requirements
Please use a computer (not a phone or tablet) to complete the study. This ensures the best typing environment, ease and efficiency of typing, and compatibility with all tasks. You will also need a quiet environment and a stable internet connection.
Choose Your Language to Begin
Please click the version of the study in the language you are most comfortable with, and you will be randomly assigned to one of the three experimental groups for that language.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at jrlp2@cam.ac.uk. Thank you for contributing to this research.