The power of prospection: Mental contrasting and behavior change
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The power of prospection: Mental contrasting and behavior change. / Oettingen, Gabriele; Reininger, Klaus Michael.
In: SOC PERSONAL PSYCHOL, Vol. 10, No. 11, 2016, p. 591-604.Research output: SCORING: Contribution to journal › SCORING: Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - The power of prospection: Mental contrasting and behavior change
AU - Oettingen, Gabriele
AU - Reininger, Klaus Michael
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - People often immerse themselves in dreams and fantasies about a desired future. Though such future fantasies are pleasant, they do not necessarily lead to the effort required to attain the desired future. Indeed, the more positively people fantasize about their desired futures, the less effort they invest and the less successful they are in realizing these futures. However, when fantasies about a desired future are complemented with a clear sense of reality, people find the direction and energy needed to realize their fantasies. We review Fantasy Realization Theory, which explicates these ideas and led to the discovery of mental contrasting future and reality, a self-regulation strategy of behavior change. Mental contrasting helps people figure out what they really want and wisely select, commit to, and actively pursue prioritized wishes while constructively dealing with setbacks. It helps them live a rewarding life through work, play, health, and relationships.
AB - People often immerse themselves in dreams and fantasies about a desired future. Though such future fantasies are pleasant, they do not necessarily lead to the effort required to attain the desired future. Indeed, the more positively people fantasize about their desired futures, the less effort they invest and the less successful they are in realizing these futures. However, when fantasies about a desired future are complemented with a clear sense of reality, people find the direction and energy needed to realize their fantasies. We review Fantasy Realization Theory, which explicates these ideas and led to the discovery of mental contrasting future and reality, a self-regulation strategy of behavior change. Mental contrasting helps people figure out what they really want and wisely select, commit to, and actively pursue prioritized wishes while constructively dealing with setbacks. It helps them live a rewarding life through work, play, health, and relationships.
U2 - 10.1111/spc3.12271
DO - 10.1111/spc3.12271
M3 - SCORING: Journal article
VL - 10
SP - 591
EP - 604
JO - SOC PERSONAL PSYCHOL
JF - SOC PERSONAL PSYCHOL
SN - 1751-9004
IS - 11
ER -
