Psychological research, from observing daily phenomena to forming theoretical concepts, is important and necessary. With the theoretical concept, there is the basis for systematic research on the corresponding phenomena. At this stage, quantitative research is usually required. Quantitative research can be carried out by experimental method or measurement method. Using the measurement method, there must be evaluation tools. In a research field, good evaluation tools can greatly promote relevant work and find more problems, so as to effectively guide the deepening of research. The study of time perspective well shows such a process and characteristics, which is worthy of investigation and experience.

Time is not only a dimension of human survival and development, but also a framework for human experience and behavior adjustment. Psychologists put forward and studied time perspective, which is a convenient lens to investigate many psychological phenomena of human individuals. Zimbardo & Boyd (1999) recognized the importance of time perspective and developed a self-evaluation tool - Zimbardo time perspective scale. This measurement tool is an important innovation in the field of time perspective research. It provides a reliable measurement standard for the operationalization of the concept of time perspective. Zimbardo time perspective scale consists of five different time perspective subscales, with a total of 56 questions. It is evaluated with a 5-point Likert scale (1 means "very inconsistent" and 5 means "very consistent"), which can measure the individual's time orientation to the past, present and future at the same time.

The past negative subscale reflects a pessimistic, negative or disgusting attitude towards the past. I think of the good things I missed in my life

The past positive subscale reflects a warm emotion, nostalgia and positive construction of the past. I'm happy to think about my past

The present hedonistic subscale reflects a hedonistic and adventurous attitude towards time and life, and believes that the current happiness and enjoyment are more important than the future results. The sample questions involved are: "adventure doesn't make my life boring."

The present fatalistic subscale reflects a helpless, fatalistic and hopeless attitude towards the present. The sample questions involved are as follows: "fate determines my life."

The future subscale reflects a general future orientation, and individuals pursue future goals and rewards. I think everyone should plan their day in advance

Therefore, Zimbardo time perspective scale is a multi-dimensional measurement tool. It is robust and reliable. In particular, it has high test-retest reliability, good aggregate validity and discriminant validity. The study of 24 countries shows that the Zimbardo time perspective scale has good reliability and validity (sircova et al., 2014).

With the evaluation tool, we can study the relationship between time perspective and other psychological variables. For example, some theorists and researchers explore the relationship between time perspective and personality types. Zimbardo and Boyd (1999) believe that although people can enter three time intervals (past, present and future) to varying degrees, some people may often point to a time perspective, thus having a specific biased time perspective. If so, the time perspective of the corresponding individual is maladaptive. In other words, individual mental health problems can be described from the perspective of time.

With the deepening of research, Zimbardo and his colleagues put forward the concept of balanced time perspective. They believe that such a time perspective is an ideal psychological framework, which can enable people to flexibly transform between their present, past and future according to task characteristics, specific requirements, situational factors, personal resources and social evaluation. For example, Boyd and Zimbardo (2005) put forward the hypothesis of "ideal trio", which holds that the perspective of balanced time should be: past positivity, present enjoyment and future orientation.

Furthermore, Zimbardo and Boyd (2008) believe that the perspective of individual ideal or optimal balance time is that there are high past positive score (original score is 4.60), slightly higher future score (original score is 4.00), current hedonic score (original score is 3.90), low past negative score (original score is 1.95) and current fatalism score (original score is 1.50).

In recent years, many researchers have tried to use different statistical analysis to empirically operate the perspective of equilibrium time, such as cluster analysis, boundary point method, structural equation model analysis, etc. However, the cut-off point method is not satisfactory because the selection of criteria is artificial. Similarly, the standard selection of balanced time perspective operation by cluster analysis is also artificial.

In a word, time perspective research shows the common mode of psychological research, in which the preparation of test tools plays a prominent role. With the deepening of research, there are not fewer and fewer problems, but more and more problems; Even the same researcher or research team will constantly update their views. Scientific research in any field is dynamic and endless.