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Beyond rationality: Counterfactual thinking and behavior regulation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2008

Kai Epstude  and
Neal J. Roese
Kai Epstude
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820. epstude@uiuc.eduroese@uiuc.edu
Neal J. Roese
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Champaign, IL 61820. epstude@uiuc.eduroese@uiuc.edu
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Abstract

Counterfactual thinking may be described as disciplined, realistic, and rational, but we move a step further to describe a theoretical perspective centering on behavior regulation. According to this perspective, counterfactual thinking primarily centers on coordination of ongoing behavior. In short, most “if only” thoughts in daily life center on the acquisition of goals; hence, counterfactual thinking may be illuminated by considering the large literature on goal cognition.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 30 , Issue 5-6 , December 2007 , pp. 457 - 458
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2008

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