The positive effects of multidimensional psychological time perspectives on intergroup helping behaviors: Feasibility, variability, and contextual adaptability

Abstract: In the current context where global intergroup conflicts are increasingly prominent, the psychological time frame serves as a new pathway to facilitate intergroup helping behavior, effectively mitigating social conflicts and promoting the redistribution of resources. Differing from the conventional approach of considering only a single time point, this study endeavors to extend the analysis across multiple time points. By constructing a multidimensional model from a psychological time perspective, which integrates cognitive and emotional dimensions, this study aims to effectively enhance individuals’ intergroup helping behaviors. Specifically, this model encompasses four perspectives: Time orientation, mental time travel, temporal comparison processes, and time attitude. It systematically elucidates the feasibility of their impacts on intergroup helping behavior at both the individual and collective levels. Meanwhile, Based on relevant theories (continuity motive theory, meaning maintenance model, temporal comparison theory, and broaden-and-build theory), this paper clarifies the differences in intergroup helping behavior facilitated by a multi-dimensional perspective of psychological time from internal mechanisms such as self-continuity, meaning in life, self-esteem, and gratitude. In addition, this paper reveals the contextual adaptability of factors such as age, psychological distance from events, urban tightness-looseness culture and objective socioeconomic status. Future research should, on the basis of focusing on emotional valence, the perspective of intergenerational descendants and cultural differences, differentiate types of intergroup helping behaviors and construct a multi-dimensional adaptation model specifically aimed at promoting intergroup helping behaviors.