From Desired Futures to Goals: Mental Contrasting Effects on Goal Commitment Mediated by Future-Reality Associations

Abstract

Mentally contrasting a desired future with the impeding reality transforms desired futures into binding goals in line with one’s expectations of success (Oettingen et al., 2001). A series of three studies shows that mental contrasting achieves this transfer by affecting the associations between future and reality: when expectations of success were high, mental contrasting established strong future-reality associations; when expectations were low, mental contrasting established weak future-reality associations (Study 1, Study 2). The future-reality associations in turn mediated mental contrasting effects on self-reported goal commitment indicators (Study 1) as well as on goal-striving behavior (Study 2). Finally, mental contrasting effects on future-reality associations prevailed until the goal was achieved (Study 3). Implications for research on the self-regulation of goal setting and goal representations are discussed.