Counterfactual thinking and risk-taking : an individual difference perspective : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Social psychological research on counterfactual thinking has largely focused on its relationship to social issues. However, no research has focused on how individual differences affect counterfactual thinking. This study examined whether high and low sensation seekers differed in their tendencies to engage in counterfactual thinking. Results showed that the positive or negative outcome of a risky event can impact the thoughts of high and low sensation seekers. The only effect due to sensation seeking was that low sensation seekers who imagined a positive outcome were more likely than low sensation seekers who imagined a negative outcome to report they would do the event again. Because few effects were due to sensation seeking, the exact relationship between counterfactual thinking and sensation seeking remains inconclusive. The difficulties in predicting behavior from traits is discussed.