Goal characteristics predict the occurrence of goal-related events through belief in future occurrence

Conscious Cogn. 2024 Feb 6;119:103649. doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2024.103649. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTWhile previous studies have highlighted the role of episodic future thinking in goal pursuit, the underlying cognitive mechanisms remain unexplored. Episodic future thinking may promote goal pursuit by shaping the feeling that imagined events will (or will not) happen in the future - referred to as belief in future occurrence. We investigated whether goal self-concordance (Experiment 1) and other goal characteristics identified as influential in goal pursuit (Experiment 2) modulate belief in the future occurrence of goal-related events and predict the actual occurrence of these events. Results showed that goal self-concordance, engagement, and expectancy had an indirect effect on the actual occurrence of events, which was (partially) mediated by belief in future occurrence. The mediating role of belief supports the view that belief in future occurrence when imagining events conveys useful information, allowing us to make informed decisions and undertake adaptive actions in the process of goal pursuit.PMID:38324924 | DOI:10.1016/j.concog.2024.103649

Source: Consciousness and Cognition - February 7, 2024 Category: Neurology Authors: Claudia Garcia Jimenez Arnaud D'Argembeau Source Type: research