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My understanding is that any changes occur at a certain temperature and time doesn't effect the changes, that is, 375 degrees held for ten years will effect the temper as much and no more than 375 degrees for five minutes. If I'm wrong my whole understanding of heat treatment is going to have to be reexamined.
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The issue is heat penetration.
You can only measure the temperature at the surface, and need to allow enough time for the cross section to reach a uniform temperature unless you are trying to do only surface changes.
The soak time required for heat treating processes is a function of cross section, and if you can apply a higher temperature without overheating the surface before the core comes up to the desired temperature.