This study investigates the effects of the social setting on
prospective time estimation, how time is perceived when a task
is performed (i) alone, (ii) with a collaborative, or (iii) with a
competitive partner. N=90 participants were tested (30 in each
condition). Participants performed a concurrent Simon task for
three different durations (15, 30 and 45 seconds) which was
followed by a time reproduction phase. Results revealed a main
effect of social condition. Reproduction ratios in dual
conditions were smaller than in the single condition and also
smaller in the competitive condition compared to the
cooperative condition. The results provide first evidence that
social condition affects time estimation: time “flies” when we
work together, in particular when we compete with a partner,
showing that cognitive and social processes are heavily
intertwined.