Examining the relationships among time appropriation, space appropriation, and temporal experience

The aim of this study is to examine temporal experience through time and space appropriation. The sample consists of 15 participants (Female = 7; Male = 8) in Van, reached by criterion sampling and snowball sampling. Semi-structured in-depth interviews (29 interviews) were conducted with the participants. Data were analyzed through template analysis. The results show that the process of time appropriation consists of sub-aspects (dimensions) of identification, meaning, emotion, ownership, transformativeness, orientation and practices, sociability, and physical environment, which are covered by four aspects (i.e., psychological processes, temporal qualities, social environment, and physical environment) of the transactional unity. In addition, the relationships that participants establish with time create various patterns with how they understand and interpret time and how they use it. These patterns were collected in four themes: "Agents" (i.e., time as a limited and valuable capital), "Hedonists/Enjoyers" (i.e., time as an opportunity to a pleasant life), "Flexibles" (i.e., uncontrollable and spontaneous time), and "Controllers" (i.e., control, planning, and punctuality). The process of space appropriation, on the other hand, consists of sub-aspects (dimensions) of identification, meaning, emotion, ownership, familiarity, usage features, transformativeness, orientation, space rhythm, sociability, and physical environment which are covered by four aspects of the transactional unity. As distinct from the process of appropriating time, there are dimensions of familiarity and space rhythm in appropriating space. The patterns of use of public spaces are shaped according to the orientations towards these spaces. These patterns were collected in two themes: "Functionalists" (i.e., public space as an environment of the fulfillment of needs) and "Those Who Are Emotionally Attached" (i.e., public space as an emotionally connected environment). Considering the relationships between appropriation processes and perceived passage of time, time is perceived as passing slowly if appropriation processes function in a role that increases the density of experience per standard temporal unit. Time is perceived as passing quickly if appropriation processes function in a role that reduces the intensity of experience per standard temporal unit. Time is perceived in its normal flow (i.e., synchronicity) if appropriation processes help to keep the density of experience per standard temporal unit at a normal level. These results highlight that appropriation processes have a multifaceted and dynamic structure that allows for a variety of experiences. This indicates that appropriation processes function according to the complex relationships among four aspects of transactional unity. Keywords: Time appropriation, space appropriation, temporal experience, transactional approach, template analysis