The Effects of Temporal Framing on Counterfactual Thinking and Self–Appraisal: An Individual Differences Perspective

Abstract

The present research examined the impact of temporal framing on two forms of self–reflection: counterfactual thinking and temporal self–appraisal. The possible moderating role of individual difference variables on these processes was also investigated. Participants recalled either a positive or a negative event from their past, which was then temporally framed to seem either psychologically recent or distant. Thinking about a negative event was expected to produce more upward counterfactual thoughts and more derogation of the past self than thinking about a positive event, especially when the event was framed as recent. The results supported these predictions, but individual differences in uncertainty orientation and achievement motivation moderated the findings. Only uncertainty–oriented or failure–threatened participants exhibited heightened generation of upward counterfactual thoughts and greater derogation of the past self following a negative event framed as recent. The findings document the link between counterfactual thinking and temporal self–appraisal and underscore the importance of an individual differences perspective.