My future is brighter than yours: the positivity bias in episodic future thinking and future self-images

Abstract

Numerous studies on episodic future thinking have demonstrated that individuals perceive their future as more positive and idyllic than their past. It has been suggested that this positivity bias might serve a self-enhancement function. Yet, conflicting findings and lack of systematic studies on the generalizability of the phenomenon leave this interpretation uncertain. We provide the first systematic examination of the positivity bias across different domains and tasks of future thinking. First, we use the same tasks in two different domains of future thinking, representing an episodic (events) and a semantic dimension (self-images), respectively. Second, we use two different measures of positivity bias (i.e., frequency of positive versus negative instances and their distance from present). Third, we contrast each measure in each domain for events/self-images related to self versus an acquaintance. Experiments 1 and 2 showed a strong, general tendency for the generation of positive future events/self-images, but most pronounced for self, relative to an acquaintance. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that positive future events/self-images were dated closer to present, whereas negative ones were pushed further into the future, but only for self and not for an acquaintance. Our results support the idea that the positivity bias in future thinking serves a self-enhancement function and that this bias likely represents a similar underlying motivational mechanism across different domains of future thinking, whether episodic or semantic. The findings add to our understanding of the motivational functions served by different forms of future thoughts in relation to the self.

“It won’t happen to us”: Unrealistic optimism affects COVID-19 risk assessments and attitudes regarding protective behaviour.

“…In the close other and the acquaintance conditions (c.f. Ross and Wilson, 2002 , Salgado and Berntsen, 2019 ), participants were asked to choose individuals who were about the same age as themselves and who were either close to them or an acquaintance whom they knew only remotely, depending on the task. For the close other task, participants were instructed that this close other preferably should be a family member, a romantic partner or a best friend.…”

“…We extended the paradigm used in Salgado and Berntsen (2019) whereby participants, in three different conditions, imagine future events for themselves, for a person they consider close to them—a close other—and for a person who they do not consider close—an acquaintance. Then, they were asked about a set of their beliefs concerning the risk of infection with COVID-19 and also about attitudes towards protective behaviour—that is, use and purchase of mask and hand sanitizer (Study 1), as well as keeping a physical distance (Study 2).…”

Simulating the best and worst of times: The powers and perils of emotional simulation

“…Interestingly, while simulation may shift our attitudes towards others, simulations of acquaintances' futures are less likely to form positive events compared to simulations of one's own future (Salgado & Berntsen, 2020).…”

Evaluating the impact of a time orientation intervention on well-being during the COVID-19 lockdown: past, present or future?

“…Gratitude has been suggested to draw attention away from negative aspects of one's life and instead directs attention towards positive aspects allowing for the savouring of these good things (Lau & Cheng, 2013;Seligman et al, 2006). In contrast, BPS has self-enhancement (Salgado & Berntsen, 2019) and self-regulatory benefits by reducing ambivalence around life goals . Both gratitude and BPS may, therefore, provide more benefit for well-being than past time-orientation through nostalgia.…”