WHY LOOKING AT THE FUTURE? FROM PSYCHOLOGICAL TO CONTEXTUAL MOTIVATORS

Abstract

Abstract Human beings can represent future events, anticipate future consequences, and act in light of those representations to achieve the most favorable outcomes in the future. Although future-oriented thoughts or behaviors concern distant and delayed rewards than the present and instant ones, their roles in people’s well-being and successful aging have been well-reported. Therefore, what motivates or differentiates such future-oriented thoughts and behaviors has been a central focus in developmental psychology. With a particular interest in future-oriented phenomena regarding age and aging, we look at the roles of psychological or contextual factors that drive views on aging and old-age preparation. Cohn-Schwartz et al. examine how having contacts with older adults benefits self-views on aging via changes in aging stereotypes. Park & Hess explore how importance attached to functioning and perceived control over functioning in different domains predict old-age preparation and compare patterns across different age groups. Fung et al. propose that perceived control, self-relevance, and responsibility for old-age preparation could mediate the well-reported cultural differences in old-age preparation. Rupprecht et al. investigate the adaptivity of approach and avoidance motivation in old-age preparation across different life domains, cultures, and age groups. Kim-Knauss & Lang looks at how the experience of social restrictions during the pandemic functions as a ‘wake-up call’ and thus induces people to engage in old-age preparation. Taken together, we suggest that various psychological appraisals and contexts shape future-oriented thoughts and behaviors, but these may vary across cultures, age groups, and target domains.