Quantitative Classification Of Subjective Time Perception Into Neutral, Compression, And Expansion Patterns Using The Human Concentration Counter

Subjective time perception varies markedly across individuals and is strongly influenced by attentional and cognitive processes. However, its objective measurement remains methodologically challenging due to reliance on self-report, software-based tasks, and susceptibility to visual feedback and counting strategies. The present study introduces a hardware-based, quantitative framework for classifying subjective time perception using the Human Concentration Counter (HCC). In an experimental cross-sectional design, 237 adult participants performed a prospective time estimation task for a 60-second target duration under a hidden-display condition. Objective time was recorded internally by the HCC, and subjective distortion was quantified using Percentage Time Error (%TE). Participants were classified into Neutral (|%TE| ≤ 5%), Compression (%TE < −5%), and Expansion (%TE > +5%) categories. Results revealed substantial inter-individual variability. Neutral perception was observed in 41.8% of participants, while 33.3% exhibited time compression and 24.9% showed time expansion. Compressors underestimated time by −23.70 ± 15.23%, whereas Expanders overestimated time by +14.31 ± 13.36%. Group differences were highly significant (ANOVA: F = 207.52, p < 1 × 10⁻⁵²), confirming robust separation between perceptual patterns. The findings demonstrate that subjective time perception can be reliably categorized using objective, hardware-based measurements. The proposed HCC-based classification framework offers a reproducible and methodologically robust approach for studying temporal cognition and individual differences in internal timekeeping.