Gaining control through counterfactual thinking

The control-gaining influence of counterfactual thought was examined in a m onth-long study of real-life exam performances. Participants were contacted immediately after receiving a test grade, the day before their next test, and right after receiving their second grade. Previous research has propose d that upward counterfactuals lead to improved future performance. The pres ent study aimed to identify mediators of this process. Participants who gen erated more upward counterfactuals were predicted to perceive enhanced cont rol over the environment and to engage in more action on their environment. Subsequent test performance should thus improve. Results showed that the t endency to generate upward counterfactuals was correlated with later change s in circumstances, which in turn, was associated with higher-perceptions o f control; control perceptions were correlated with better subsequent grade s. Implications of results for social cognition, action, and control proces ses are discussed.