New research reveals that people’s perception of time can be influenced by the memorability of the images they view. Memorable images, such as those featuring people, actions, and central objects, seem to stretch time subjectively, allowing for more extensive processing in the brain before a snap decision needs to be made. This effect could be a way for the brain to prioritize incoming information and allocate more processing time to important or relevant events.
Our perception of time is influenced by various factors, including the way images look. Larger, more memorable images trick the brain into thinking it has viewed them for a longer time, while cluttered pictures make time seem to pass faster. The content of images, not just their complexity, may also resonate with some people more than others. This study suggests that the time dilation effects of memorable images might help the visual system process information and overcome bottlenecks in processing speed. However, the factors that make an image memorable can vary from person to person.
