Feelings of the future.
Affective forecasting refers to the capacity to predict future feelings. Humans have been found to exhibit systematic affective forecasting biases that involve overestimation of the intensity and duration of future feelings. Although recent research has elucidated the proximate mechanisms underlying our ability to predict future feelings, explanations concerning the potential adaptive significance of these biases have attracted little attention. Here we consider the function of affective forecasts as signals of biological value, drivers of goal pursuit, and tools for eliciting collaboration. Although affective forecasting biases can have significant costs, for instance in terms of one's pursuit of happiness, they may ultimately serve adaptive functions.
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. Electronic address: b.miloyan@uq.edu.au.
Beyon
B
Miloyan
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
Thomas
T
Suddendorf
D059031:Anticipation, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D006801:Humans; D009042:Motivation; D012919:Social Behavior
adaptive function; affective forecast; episodic foresight; impact bias; motivation; prospection