The olive tree effect: Future time perspective when the future is uncertain

Abstract

Different fields of psychology have shown that future time perspective (FTP) has an important role in changing individual attitudes and behaviours. However, recent societal conditions, like the economic crises of the Western world, may have changed the meaning itself of the future, passing from hope to threat. This article discusses possible consequences of this change of sign of the future and the implications of future time perspective as an educational strategy in multicultural context. Synthesizing the concepts of future time orientation and generativity, a distinction between personal and social FTP is proposed. Whereas personal FTP is oriented to personal achievement and can be embedded into the Western culture but not into other cultures, social FTP is proposed as a resource for community building. Social FTP stresses the importance of the survival of the community, focusing on long-term and inclusive goals which transcend individual personal achievement. Social FTP is proposed as a cross-cultural tool for improving intergroup and interpersonal relations.

Mediation of time perspectives on inclinations to use alcohol and motivation to change relationship

“…Others may view the future as negative, filled with such overwhelming urges to use the substance (Morselli, 2013). It is true that the ZTPI presents a positive bias in the assessment of a, exclusively, positive Future (Papastamatelou et al, 2015).…”

“…Regarding the opposite inclination, a massive and oppressive urge to drink alcohol (i.e., Obsessed/Compelled dimension) can prevent the patient to look ahead to only consider their immediate needs. Others may view the future as negative, filled with such overwhelming urges to use the substance (Morselli, ). It is true that the ZTPI presents a positive bias in the assessment of a, exclusively, positive Future (Papastamatelou et al., ).…”

Future time perspective and interpersonal empathy: Implications for preferring autonomy‐ versus dependency‐oriented helping

“…Nevertheless, this possibility should be considered given the conceptualizations of FTP and autonomy‐ versus dependency‐oriented help. FTP is defined as a consideration of future events while making present behavioural decisions (Morselli, ; Simons, Vansteenkist, et al ., ). Accordingly, FTP, either measured or manipulated, is related to conceiving present behavioural decisions in light of their future consequences.…”

“…In the present research, we focus on future time perspective (FTP). FTP is conceptualized as consideration of future events while making present behavioural decisions (Morselli, ; Simons, Dewitte, & Lens, ), and associated with psychological variables such as future orientation (Piko, Luszczynska, Gibbons, & Teközel, ); considerations of future consequences (Strathman, Gleicher, Boninger, & Edwards, ); delay of gratification (Cuskelly, Einam, & Jobling, ); and decreased impulsivity (Allen, Moeller, Rhoades, & Cherek, ). On the one hand, it was suggested that compared to individuals with balanced time perspective, people with a dominant future orientation are inclined to delay gratification and as a result may experience lower levels of subjective well‐being (see Boniwell et al ., ).…”

Stress Resistance And Temporal Perspective Of Chinese And Russian Students

“…The need to study the characteristics of stress-resistance and time perception is conditioned by: 1) scientific reasons for properly understanding the relationship between stress-resistance, time perception and ethno-cultural differences (Morselli, 2013); 2) the need for psychological support for students, taking into account their ethno-cultural characteristics when perceiving time in a stressful period. Thus, the question of how similar or different are stressful experiences in cultures with low and high tolerance to uncertainty remains undeveloped (Hofstede, Hofstede, & Pedersen, 2012).…”