What question did this study set out to answer?

To test temporal construal theory by investigating whether temporal distance systematically alters the decision weight placed on feasibility (low-level construal) versus desirability (high-level construal).

July 1, 1998Journal of Personality and Social Psychology

The role of feasibility and desirability considerations in near and distant future decisions: A test of temporal construal theory.

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

To test temporal construal theory by investigating whether temporal distance systematically alters the decision weight placed on feasibility (low-level construal) versus desirability (high-level construal).
Conducted five experimental studies manipulating temporal perspective (near future vs. distant future) across abstract conceptual tasks, decision scenarios, and planning exercises.
Evaluated real-life academic task selection among university students based on variations in difficulty (feasibility) and topic interest (desirability).
Distant future activities were construed on a significantly higher, more abstract level than near future activities across experimental evaluations.
Decisions for distant future activities placed greater weight on end-state desirability and less on feasibility, whereas near-term choices were primarily driven by feasibility and difficulty constraints.
Distant future planning aligned with the intrinsic desirability of activities rather than realistic time availability.

Discussion

No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.

Implication

Experimental series demonstrates that distant future choices prioritize desirability over feasibility in students, indicating that temporal distance shifts cognitive construal to abstract goals.

Cite This Study

Liberman et al. (1998) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69d7c5b0e57cdc1cc9ae2c0e https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.75.1.5

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Implication

Experimental series demonstrates that distant future choices prioritize desirability over feasibility in students, indicating that temporal distance shifts cognitive construal to abstract goals.

The role of feasibility and desirability considerations in near and distant future decisions: A test of temporal construal theory.

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

The role of feasibility and desirability considerations in near and distant future decisions: A test of temporal construal theory.

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Also Consider

Also Consider