upward and downward counterfactual thinking

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