The Role of Actively Open-minded Thinking among College students and its impact on future time perspectives

Abstract

The current study aimed to investigate the development of actively open-minded thinking (AOT) among Saudi College students and its impact on their future time perspective (FTP). The study samples included 1,797 undergraduate students from different majors, and used AOT inventory of (Stanovich & West, 1997) and a short version of Zimbardo FTP inventory. The results showed that there was no development of AOT as illustrated by linear regression among college students depending on the AOT subfactors. However, the FTP results demonstrated that there was development of the present experience (FTP subfactor), as indicated by linear regression according to age in the present experience (FTP subfactor) was increased by age. The findings revealed a difference in the AOT, AOT subfactors, FTP and FTP subfactors in relation to sex, with males showing a higher score compared to females. In addition, the results indicated the interaction of AOT by sex on FTP subfactors (i.e., present vs. future). These findings indicate that AOT does not show developmental change according to age among the study sample. In contrast, some developmental changes occurred in FTP and FTP subfactors according to age.