HOPING FOR THE BEST - THE FUTURE TIME PERSPECTIVE

Empiricial research on hope, expected effect and future time perspecti ves has employed a variety of different time frames. This research not e contends that the effect of these time frames, frequently establishe d by temporal instructions, merits further investigation. The present research compares four sets of time frame instructions with college st udents in the mid-west of the USA. Results indicate a significant incr ease of hope across the three specific time frames (with hope 'in the next five years' being the greatest). While pessimism and hope for oth ers did not vary with projected time, optimism and hope for self saw a n increase through the specific time frames. Consequently, an asymmetr y of 'situational' versus 'dispositional' self attribution for the pas t and future is proposed for this student population. We suggest that the self/other temporal distinction may be a fruitful area for cross c ultural exploration.