Characteristics and consequences of temporal orientation for psychological well-being: learning from the past, fearing the future and living for today

Abstract

Typically, past orientation predicts negative psychological outcomes and future orientation predicts positive psychological outcomes. However, orienting to the past need not always produce negative psychological outcomes. When the past is viewed from a positive hedonic frame, or a frame that lays a foundation of self-knowledge, self-awareness and collective belonging and pride, positive associations with the self are made. Conversely, if one’s future focus is based in fear and worry, concern with a lack of control, then the psychological impact in the present may be much less positive. Study 1 demonstrated that Past-Self-Knowledge is positively, and Future-Worry is negatively related to psychological well being. Study 2 showed that death salience disrupted patterns of future and past time travel drawing people more closely to the present.