Future Thinking and Emotion

In two studies, we examined the effect of detailed guided simulations of future events that were near (academic goals), further (post-graduation career goals), and furthest in the future (relationship/family goals). Post simulations, ratings of vividness and perceived control of goals were significantly higher and goal-related anxiety was lower. In Study 2, we separated participants into trait <i>low</i> versus <i>high</i> <i>future orientation</i>. Results showed that those who were high in future orientation experienced higher vividness as well as anticipated enjoyment associated with future goals compared to those low in future orientation.