If only I wasn't so impulsive: Counterfactual thinking and delay-discounting

We examined the use of counterfactual thinking, based on an individual's levels of impulsivity. Confirming hypotheses, results suggest that highly impulsive individuals are less likely to engage in functional counterfactual thinking (i.e., upward-additive counterfactuals). Interestingly, these results held only for individuals who were high on behavioral, but not self-reported impulsivity. Implications for the role of counterfactual thinking in impulsive individuals are discussed.
Source: Personality and Individual Differences - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Source Type: research