Examples of upward counterfactual thinking are:
- “I wish I had taken that other job instead of this one 10 years ago – my life would be so much better if I had.”
- “I wish I would have gotten the part in that high school play, maybe I could have gotten into a theatre school and became an actor…”
What is counterfactual thinking?
- Big Think What is counterfactual thinking? Can thinking about the past really help us create a better present and future? There are two types of counterfactual thinking: upward and downward.
What are the counterfactual thoughts of offenders and defendants?
The counterfactual thoughts of offenders, defendants, or prisoners are likely to center on issues of blame and fairness, and feelings of guilt and shame, much like victims, criminal justice agents, the media, and public focus on these issues when considering crime, justice, and punishment.
How do counterfactual thoughts affect our emotions?
These counterfactual thoughts, or thoughts of what could have happened, can affect people's emotions, such as causing them to experience regret, guilt, relief, or satisfaction. They can also affect how they view social situations, such as who deserves blame and responsibility.
Is upward counterfactual thinking bad for You?
Not only that, but research has also shown upward counterfactual thinking can be linked with current and future depression. According to a 2000 study, downward counterfactual thinking can be linked with better psychological health compared to upward counterfactual thinking.
What is example of counterfactual?
A counterfactual explanation describes a causal situation in the form: “If X had not occurred, Y would not have occurred”. For example: “If I hadn't taken a sip of this hot coffee, I wouldn't have burned my tongue”. Event Y is that I burned my tongue; cause X is that I had a hot coffee.
What are counterfactual thoughts counterfactual thinking )? Give an example?
Counterfactual thoughts spell out what people think caused an outcome. For example, the thought “If I had not eaten so many potato chips, I wouldn't feel ill right now” implies eating too many potato chips caused the person to feel sick.
What is meant by counterfactual thinking?
Counterfactual thinking is thinking about a past that did not happen. This is often the case in “if only…” situations, where we wish something had or had not happened.
What are counterfactuals in psychology?
1. imagining ways in which events in one's life might have turned out differently. This often involves feelings of regret or disappointment (e.g., If only I hadn't been so hasty) but may also involve a sense of relief, as at a narrow escape (e.g., If I had been standing three feet to the left…).
What is a counterfactual statement?
A counterfactual is interpreted as a statement about how things occur in other possible worlds governed by the same laws of nature. Roughly: in every possible world that is relevantly similar to the existing world but in which the wind does not reach 50 miles per hour, the bridge does not collapse.
What causes counterfactual thinking?
A counterfactual thought occurs when a person modifies a factual prior event and then assesses the consequences of that change. A person may imagine how an outcome could have turned out differently, if the antecedents that led to that event were different.
What is another word for counterfactual?
In this page you can discover 14 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for counterfactual, like: hypothetical, wrong, contrary to fact, frequentist, a posteriori, true, counterfactuals, causality, false, specious and spurious.
What type of reasoning is reasoning by counterfactuals?
Counterfactual conditionals are used extensively in causal reasoning. This observation has motivated a philosophical tradition that aims to provide a counterfactual analysis of causation.
Is counterfactual thinking a controlled process?
Controlled processes such as counterfactual thinking can have their benefits and drawbacks. First, discuss what is meant by the term "counterfactual thinking," then explain how this phenomenon can be beneficial and how it can be detrimental. Counterfactual thinking is the process of mentally redoing the past.
What is counterfactual thinking this type of thinking quizlet?
Counterfactual thinking-- imagining what could have been-- occurs when we can easily picture an alternative outcome.
What is a counterfactual quizlet?
counterfactual thinking. thoughts about what might have been 'if only' with which we undo outcomes in our mind.
What is another word for counterfactual?
In this page you can discover 14 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for counterfactual, like: hypothetical, wrong, contrary to fact, frequentist, a posteriori, true, counterfactuals, causality, false, specious and spurious.
What is a counterfactual in research?
Counterfactual analysis enables evaluators to attribute cause and effect between interventions and outcomes. The 'counterfactual' measures what would have happened to beneficiaries in the absence of the intervention, and impact is estimated by comparing counterfactual outcomes to those observed under the intervention.
What is the functional theory of counterfactual thinking?
Counterfactual thinking allows for speculation about different ways a situation could have played out. Individuals can ruminate on how different ac...
What are the consequences of thought suppression?
Thought suppression is the dismissal of thoughts that are seen as threatening. By suppressing thoughts, individuals attempt to ignore counterfactua...
Is counterfactual thinking healthy?
Counterfactual thinking can provide many benefits, such as allowing individuals to creatively think about alternative scenarios and plan for differ...
What is counterfactual thinking?
Counterfactual means “contrary to the facts.”. Counterfactual thinking refers to reconstructive thoughts about a past event, in which antecedents to the event are mentally mutated ...
Why is counterfactual thinking important?
Ultimately, counterfactual thinking is probably one of the crucial traits that has helped people create and sustain the marvels of human society and culture. Most animals can barely perceive and understand the world as it is, but we can dream of how it can be different. Democracy, women’s liberation, and wireless technology did not exist in nature, but human beings were able to look at life as it was and imagine how it could be different, and these imaginings helped them change the world for the better.
What is cognitive psychology?
Cognitive and social psychologists are interested in how lay perceivers use counterfactual thinking in everyday life. They aim to understand both when counterfactual thinking normally occurs and which counterfactual constructions of reality, from the infinite number of possible ones, are most likely to be generated by the average person.
What did social psychologists predict about prisoners?
Social psychologists predicted that prisoners engaged in counterfactual thinking about how they might have prevented the events leading up to their imprisonment would assign more blame to themselves than prisoners who engaged in thoughts about how they actually brought about those events . They assume counterfactual thinking can identify a broader range of blame-relevant factors than a factual analysis of causes (Davis et al. 1996).
What is the first instinct fallacy?
Krueger and his colleagues have dubbed this tendency the first instinct fallacy, defined as the false belief that it is better not change one’s first answer even if one starts to think a different answer is correct.
Why do people use counterfactuals?
Downward counterfactuals have their uses too. They particularly help people feel better in the aftermath of misfortune. When something bad happens, people say, “It could have been worse,” and contemplating those even more terrible counterfactuals is comforting.
Why is it good to make upward counterfactuals?
People make far more upward than downward counterfactuals, which is probably a good thing because it causes people to consider how to make things better in the future (Roese & Olson, 1997). For example, if Eduardo looks back on his exam and regrets not studying harder so he could have earned a higher grade, he will probably study harder next time.
What is counterfactual thinking?
Counterfactual thinking is a concept in psychology that involves the human tendency to create possible alternatives to life events that have already occurred; something that is contrary to what actually happened. Counterfactual thinking is, as it states: "counter to ...
What are the two types of counterfactual thoughts?
There are two types of counterfactual thoughts, downward and upward. Downward counterfactuals are thoughts about how the situation could have been worse; and people tend to have a more positive view of the actual outcome. Upward counterfactuals are thoughts about how the situation could have been better.
What is the difference between additive and subtractive counterfactual?
A counterfactual statement may involve the action or inaction of an event that originally took place. An additive statement involves engaging in an event that did not originally occur (e.g., I should have taken medicine) whereas a subtractive statement involves removing an event that took place (e.g., I should have never started drinking ). Additive counterfactuals are more frequent than subtractive counterfactuals.
How does counterfactual thinking affect collective action?
On the other hand, at a group level, counterfactual thinking can lead to collective action. According to Milesi and Catellani (2011), political activists exhibit group commitment and are more likely to re-engage in collective action following a collective defeat and show when they are engage in counterfactual thinking. Unlike the cognitive processes involved at individual level, abstract counterfactuals lead to an increase in group identification, which is positively correlated with collective action intention. The increase in group identification impacts on people's affect. Abstract counterfactuals also lead to an increase in group efficacy. Increase in group efficacy translates to belief that the group has the ability to change outcomes in situations. This in turn motivates group members to make group-based actions to attain their goal in the future.
How does perceived power affect counterfactual thinking?
Recent research by Scholl and Sassenberg (2014) looked to determine how perceived power in the situation can affect the counterfactual thought and process associated to understanding future directions and outlooks. The research examined how manipulating the perceived power of the individual in the given circumstance can lead to different thoughts and reflections, noting that "demonstrated that being powerless (vs. powerful) diminished self-focused counterfactual thinking by lowering sensed personal control". These results may show a relationship between how the self perceives events and determines the best course of action for future behavior.
What is the activation portion of counterfactual thinking?
First, there is the activation portion. This activation is whether we allow the counterfactual thought to seep into our conscious thought. The second portion involves content. This content portion creates the end scenario for the antecedent.
Why do we use counterfactual theory?
Risk aversion. Main article: Risk aversion (psychology) Another reason we continue to use counterfactual theory is to avoid situations that may be unpleasant to us, which is part of our approach and avoidance behavior. Often, people make a conscious effort to avoid situations that may make them feel unpleasant.
What are the two types of counterfactual thinking?
There are two types of counterfactual thinking: upward and downward.
Why is counterfactual thinking important?
Using counterfactual thinking as a motivational tool can be very helpful if we don’t get stuck in the “what if” mindset that tends to pull us out of the present and back into the past, where things will always remain the same.
Why is upward counterfactual thinking so difficult?
This can be difficult, though, because much of the time upward counterfactual thinking is more associated with a pessimistic outlook that can be unmotivating.
Which type of thinking tends to be more associated with psychological health?
Downward counterfactual thinking tends to be more associated with psychological health
What are the thoughts associated with depression?
According to a 2017 study that pooled a sample of over 13,000 respondents, thoughts about “better outcomes” and regret (upward counterfactual thinking) were associated with current and future depression.
Is downward counterfactual thinking more harmful than upward counterfactual thinking?
While many people don’t see the point in “what if” scenarios, various studies have found that downward counterfactual thinking can be more associated with psychological health compared with upward counterfactual thinking. Not only that, but research has also shown upward counterfactual thinking can be linked with current and future depression.
Is counterfactual thinking a natural process?
While counterfactual thinking is a very normal and natural process, experts suggest the best course is to focus on the present and future and allow counterfactual thinking to act as a motivator when possible.
What is counterfactual thinking?
Counterfactual thinking involves thoughts about alternatives to past events; that is, thoughts of what might have been. This method of thinking occurs more frequently than some people might think, and is an inherently complex, yet interesting subject.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of counterfactual thinking?
Like everything else in life, counterfactual thinking comes with its advantages and disadvantages. The ability to backtrack, reflect, and learn from one's mistakes are critical self-skills that will prove helpful to each person as they venture through life. Self-pity, resentment, and lingering regret are unfortunate, potential offshoots of counterfactual thinking. However, they can be thwarted by using the five steps discussed above to conquer challenges and rise above obstacles.
How to counterfactualize?
Ultimately, there is almost always light at the end of the tunnel and seeing the bigger picture is important. When applied properly, counterfactual thinking can strategically allow each person to assess their current situation, evaluate which decisions may or may not have caused it, and then decide which steps they're going to take moving forward. Setbacks, obstacles, and difficulties are a part of life. However, our thinking plays a major role in whether or not they make or break us.
What is the third step in thinking?
This is the third step, and is often referred to as semi-factual thinking, or the "even if" counterpart to "what if." Once you have established the series of steps which would have still led to your current results, you can mentally backtrack, pinpoint the similar or common thread (s) between the two paths, and work to avoid it in the future.
What is the meaning of "look at a disagreement from the perspective of the opposing party"?
For example, someone who can look at a disagreement from the perspective of the opposing party might be able to see what they could have done differently and why the other person feels the way that they do. A person who can think more creatively and therefore take additional, more proactive steps in the future is more likely to go further in life than someone who remains stuck in their ways, or refuses or is unable to see other perspectives.
Is online therapy as effective as face to face therapy?
Overall, online therapy has been found to be just as effective as face-to-face therapy in treating many mental health conditions , including anxiety, relationship troubles, depression, PTSD, OCD, mood disorders, and many others. In fact, 98% of BetterHelp users have made significant progress on their mental health journeys, compared to 74% of in-person therapy users, and 96% prefer online therapy to face-to-face therapy.
Is counterfactual thinking healthy?
Our team is proud of our success stories from countless people who have benefited from our services, and we will gladly provide you with whatever support or assistance that you require. Counterfactual thinking can be healthy under the right circumstances, and it's not something that you have to do alone. Of course, the choice is yours, but if you ever feel inspired to contact BetterHelp for any reason, you can do so by clicking here.
Summary
Examples
In the case of Olympic Medalists, counterfactual thinking explains why bronze medalists are often more satisfied with the outcome than silver medalists. The counterfactual thoughts for silver medalists tend to focus on how close they are to the gold medal, upward counterfactually thinking about the event, whereas bronze medalists tend to counterfactual think about how they could have not received a medal at all, displaying downward counterfactual thinking.
Overview
The term "Counterfactual" is defined by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary as contrary to the facts. A counterfactual thought occurs when a person modifies a factual prior event and then assesses the consequences of that change. A person may imagine how an outcome could have turned out differently, if the antecedents that led to that event were different. For example, a person may reflect upon how a car accident could have turned out by imagining how some of the factors coul…
History
The origin of counterfactual thinking has philosophical roots and can be traced back to early philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato who pondered the epistemological status of subjunctive suppositions and their nonexistent but feasible outcomes. In the seventeenth century, the German philosopher, Leibniz, argued that there could be an infinite number of alternate worlds, so long as they were not in conflict with laws of logic. The well known philosopher Nicholas Rescher (as wel…
Activation
There are two portions to counterfactual thinking. First, there is the activation portion. This activation is whether we allow the counterfactual thought to seep into our conscious thought. The second portion involves content. This content portion creates the end scenario for the antecedent.
The activation portion leads into the mystery of why we allow ourselves to think of other alternatives that could have been beneficial or harmful to us. It is believed that humans tend to t…
Functional basis
One may wonder why we continue to think in counterfactual ways if these thoughts tend to make us feel guilty or negatively about an outcome. One of the functional reasons for this is to correct for mistakes and to avoid making them again in the future. If a person is able to consider another outcome based on a different path, they may take that path in the future and avoid the undesired outcome. It is obvious that the past cannot be changed, however, it is likely that similar situation…
Current research
As with many cognitive processes in the brain, current and upcoming research seeks to gain better insight into the functions and outcomes of how we think. Research for counterfactual thinking has recently been investigating various effects and how they might alter or contribute to counterfactual thinking. One study by Rim and Summerville (2014) investigated the distance of the event in terms of time and how this length of time can affect the process by which counterfactua…
Types
Upward counterfactual thinking focuses on how the situation could have been better. Many times, people think about what they could have done differently. For example, "If I started studying three days ago, instead of last night, I could have done better on my test." Since people often think about what they could have done differently, it is not uncommon for people to feel regret during upward counterfactual thinking.