Self-prospection and energization: The joint influence of time distance and consideration of future consequences

Elena Stephan, Daniella Shidlovski, Constantine Sedikides

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

The way people envision their future (self-prospection) plays a key role in the energization required to pursue desired goals. We proposed that energization is determined by time distance from the imagined future-self and the individual’s consideration of future consequences (CFC). We hypothesized that, when imagining their distant (vs. near) future-self, individuals higher on CFC (i.e., those who construe a stronger link between present and future selves), would report greater energization. Participants completed the CFC scale, imagined their distant or near future-self, and reported their energy level. Imagining distant (vs. near) future-self fostered energy among participants higher on CFC (Experiments 1–2), an effect mediated by vividness of self-representations (Experiment 2). Self-prospection has implications for current states, and specifically for felt energy.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)22-36
Number of pages15
JournalSelf and Identity
Volume17
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Jan 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • Self-prospection
  • consideration of future consequences
  • energization
  • future self
  • temporal distance

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Self-prospection and energization: The joint influence of time distance and consideration of future consequences'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this