Is a Linear Conception of Time Sufficient in Computational Psychology?
Is a Linear Conception of Time Sufficient in Computational Psychology? A Critical Analytical Report Analytical research report 20 March 2026 Abstract This report examines whether a linear conception of time is sufficient in computational psychology and, if not, in what precise sense it becomes insufficient. The central finding is that the answer depends on which aspect of “linearity” is under discussion. A single linear temporal order - earlier versus later - is almost always indispensable, and a single external time axis is often a useful modeling convention. In several major model families, including diffusion decision models, Kalman-style state-space models, and standard reinforcement learning, linear time indexing is not itself the limiting assumption. The more substantive problems arise when one assumes that a single homogeneous clock is enough for all relevant processes, that m...