'The best is yet to come': Examining the affective and motivational implications of reflective and evaluative thinking about a brighter future life

Most individuals envision that their lives will become more satisfying in the future. Drawing on the Reflection and Evaluation Model (REM; Markman & McMullen, 2003), in three pre-registered studies we evaluated the affective and motivational implications of envisioning a more satisfying future life using a reflective versus evaluative mode of thinking. In Study 1 (N = 456; M age = 30.54; 40.8% female) and Study 2 (N = 440; M age = 30.29; 36.1% female), experimental manipulations of mode of thinking (reflective, evaluative, control) did not significantly impact affect or motivation. However, in Study 2 and Study 3 (N = 442; M age = 30.61; 55.4% female), individual differences in mode of thinking were systematically related to individuals' affective reactions and motivation. That is, more reflective (vs. evaluative) thinking was associated with more positive and less negative affect, stronger commitment to and confidence in achieving one's goals for the future, and greater perceived success. Thus, the present work provides valuable new insights about reflective versus evaluative thinking with respect to the widespread belief that 'the best is yet to come'.

Automated summary

The study found that using a reflective thinking mode is associated with more positive emotions and motivation, while evaluative thinking mode is related to more negative emotions and motivation. This suggests that individual's way of thinking can influence their visions and goals for the future.