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 low versus high future orientation. 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.