未来情景思考对目标达成的双刃作用及其机制

未来情景思考指个体想象并预先感受某个可能在未来发生的自我相关情景事件的心理加工,它对目标达成可产生双刃影响:一些思考方式会妨碍目标达成,如想象理想的结果或过程;而另一些思考方式则会促进目标达成,如过程模拟和想象较为消极的目标相关场景。对于未来情景思考是促进还是妨碍目标达成,动机水平的高低和执行意向的清晰程度可能是关键调节因素,相应的干预策略可通过增强这两者而将未来情景思考对目标达成的妨碍作用转化为促进作用。进一步的研究需系统探讨不同方式的未来情景思考影响目标达成的认知神经机制,并对目标特征和人格特点如何调节未来情景思考对目标达成的影响进行探讨。

The double-edged effect and mechanism of episodic future thinking on goal attainment

Episodic future thinking (EFT) is the psychological process of projecting oneself into thinking and experiencing future self-related episodes in advance.EFT affects goal attainment in a double-edged way:process simulation and the generation of negative thoughts or images would facilitate goal attainment,while experiencing positive thoughts or images about a desired future would have adverse effects.Motivation level and clarity of implementation intention may be crucial in determining whether the effect of EFT on goal attainment would be beneficial or not.Therefore,by promoting motivation and clarity of implementation intention,related interventions could be developed to turn the deleterious effect of EFT into a beneficial one.Future studies should explore the cognitive and neural mechanisms of effects of different types of EFT on goal attainment,and should discuss how factors such as goal features and personality moderate the effect of EFT on goal attainment.