This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Johnson, J. T. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Johnson, J. T. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

The Knowledge of What Might have Been

Affective and Attributional Consequences of Near Outcomes

University of California, Davis

This study examined certain affective and attributional consequences of outcomes and "near outcomes"in the lives of target individuals. A total of 121 subjects read versions of scenarios that systematically differed in the valence of a major life outcome and whether the outcome actually or only nearly happened (the "near outcome"). Results generally indicated that near outcomes as well as actual out-comes had significant impact on the perceived affective consequences of the situation, and that near outcomes also affected trait inferences and predictions regarding the target person. Differences between the perceived affective consequences of positive near outcomes and negative near outcomes were generally a function of differences in the valence of the near outcomes rather than of differences in objective circumstances. Other results also reflected a derogation of the "near winner." The personalities of individuals who narrowly missed experiencing a positive event were rated more negatively; they also were judged as less likely to be successful and less likely to feel positively about their lives in the future. These results are discussed in terms of the suggestions of Kahneman and Tversky (1982) that individuals who learn of a near outcome may simulate its actual occurrence, and that the "simulation heuristic "may shape both inferences and affective states.

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. D. Alicke, J. Buckingham, E. Zell, and T. Davis Culpable Control and Counterfactual Reasoning in the Psychology of Blame Pers Soc Psychol Bull, October 1, 2008; 34(10): 1371 - 1381. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. M. Wong Narrating near-histories: The effects of counterfactual communication on motivation and performance Management & Organizational History, November 1, 2007; 2(4): 351 - 370. [Abstract] [PDF]

				O. E. Tykocinski I Never Had a Chance: Using Hindsight Tactics to Mitigate Disappointments Pers Soc Psychol Bull, March 1, 2001; 27(3): 376 - 382. [Abstract] [PDF]

				K. D. Markman and P. E. Tetlock Accountability and Close-Call Counterfactuals: The Loser Who Nearly Won and the Winner Who Nearly Lost Pers Soc Psychol Bull, November 1, 2000; 26(10): 1213 - 1224. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. B. Pham and S. E. Taylor From Thought to Action: Effects of Process-Versus Outcome-Based Mental Simulations on Performance Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 1999; 25(2): 250 - 260. [Abstract] [PDF]

				L. J. Sanna Self-Efficacy and Counterfactual Thinking: Up a Creek with and without a Paddle Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 1997; 23(6): 654 - 666. [Abstract]

				L. J. Sanna and K. J. Turley Antecedents to Spontaneous Counterfactual Thinking: Effects of Expectancy Violation and Outcome Valence Pers Soc Psychol Bull, September 1, 1996; 22(9): 906 - 919. [Abstract]

				K. D. Markman, I. Gavanski, S. J. Sherman, and M. N. McMullen The Impact of Perceived Control on the Imagination of Better and Worse Possible Worlds Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 1995; 21(6): 588 - 595. [Abstract]

				N. J. Roese and J. M. Olson Outcome Controllability and Counterfactual Thinking Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 1995; 21(6): 620 - 628. [Abstract]

				N. J. Roese and J. M. Olson The Structure of Counterfactual Thought Pers Soc Psychol Bull, June 1, 1993; 19(3): 312 - 319. [Abstract]

				C. N. MacRae A Tale of Two Curries: Counterfactual Thinking and Accident-Related Judgments Pers Soc Psychol Bull, February 1, 1992; 18(1): 84 - 87. [Abstract]

				J. Landman Regret and Elation Following Action and Inaction: Affective Responses to Positive Versus Negative Outcomes Pers Soc Psychol Bull, December 1, 1987; 13(4): 524 - 536. [Abstract]