The Culture of Time Inventory: Comparison of Time Attitudes Pertaining to Timed Testing in Russian and American Adults

Abstract

A measure of time attitudes, Culture of Time Inventory—33 items (COTI-33), was developed and validated in English and Russian on 560 American and 517 Russian respondents. The study aim was to examine and assess culturally relevant time attitudes that may affect performances on timed psychological and neuropsychological tests. A stable and comparable five-factor model emerged across samples, revealing the following dimensions of time attitudes: (1) planning; (2) punctuality; (3) time management; (4) event-time orientation; and (5) time-limited tests. Cultural differences emerged in COTI-33 factor scores where Americans rated planning and punctuality significantly higher than Russians. Discriminant validity of the scale was examined against the Big Five Personality Inventory. COTI-33 was established to have high reliability and construct validity and may serve as a valuable instrument for assessing the influence of time attitudes on timed psychological test performances in both clinical and non-clinical settings.