Individual differences in upward and downward counterfactual thinking: Assessment considerations

Abstract

Research on counterfactual thinking (thinking about ‘what might have been’) identifies that people vary in the direction and focus of their imagined alternatives to past events. Diverse methods exist to assess individual differences in such thinking. Extant psychometric assessments of counterfactual thinking contribute to knowledge about relationships between certain forms of upward and downward counterfactual thoughts and relevant psychosocial outcomes. In this article, we raise principled concerns for a more balanced investigation of self-referent, other-referent, and nonreferent forms of both upward and downward counterfactual thinking. Specifically, we propose that one avenue of investigation is to expand upon existing scale-based measures to facilitate self-reports of different types of upward and downward counterfactual thoughts with equal emphasis.