Upward
counterfactual and downward
counterfactual thinking has both its
pros and cons . Upward counterfactual thinking is the thoughts of identification on how
an outcome could have been better, and are strongly evoked by difficulties that
arise during goal pursuit. (Epstude & Roese, 2008). Downward counterfactual
thinking on the other hand, serve an affective function, that allows individuals
to feel better about themselves by comparison to embroiled simulations of what
might have occurred (e.g.,
Markman et al., 1993;
Nasco&Marsh, 1999; Roese, 1994;
Roese & Olson, 1995b, 1995c).
However the more harmful counterfactual thinking is the downward counterfactual thinking. This is because, if an individual practices
this thinking, they would only think of how things could have been worse and
not better. They onlyfeel
better about themselves by comparison to worseoff simulations of what might
have occurred (e.g., Markman et al., 1993; Nasco&Marsh, 1999; Roese, 1994;Roese
& Olson, 1995b, 1995c) but not do something about it which makes them not
want to strive for what could have been better. We often do something and
achieved something great for the first time and then put in a little lesser
effort thinking that we can achieve the same in the second, third, fourth and so
on attempts. For example, an individual would say “I have studied hard enough
and did not fail any papers” and for the upcoming exams, they might just put
slightly lesser effort as they know that they will pass all the papers. This
makes the downward counterfactual thinking harmful as individuals might just
think of how they could not have been caught up in something worse. This will
give a good feeling, yes but they will not be open to many more experiences and
options/platforms in achieving something even more.
Upward counterfactual however
gives a platform to individuals to work harder or to strive for something that they
did not managed to achieve in the past. It often motivates an individual to
look forward to something. They might feel negative because of not being able
to obtain something but in spite of it, it will make them realize and want to
work harder to get something rather than to just feel good and think of how it
could not have been worse. It also facilitates the thought of why they fail and
how they could have succeed and it is likely to influence on their planning in
the future. It can have positive effects on motivation and performances. For example,
students procrastinate or do last minute work as and when they like(feel)
rather than to strive hard and complete their tasks on time. As a result, high chances
are the students might not obtain good grades due to their procrastination and
last minute work and they often regret and thought to themselves if they did
not procrastinate and work harder, they might have got better results.
References :
1 1. Looking
on the Bright Side: Downward Counterfactual Thinking in Response to Negative
Life Events
Katherine White and
Darrin R. Lehman
Pers Soc Psychol Bull 2005
31: 1413
2. 2. Social
metacognition /editors, Pablo brinol and Kenneth G.DeMaree
p.cm,--(frontiers of
social psychology) [online] Available at : http://books.google.com.my/books?id=1CKiir2c85QC&pg=PA134&dq=upward++counterfactual+thinking&hl=en&sa=X&ei=NipAUsyLA8PrrQe6jIHQAw&ved=0CEAQ6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=upward%20%20counterfactual%20thinking&f=false
