Temporal construal and time-dependent changes in preference

Five studies tested the predictions of temporal construal theory and time-d iscounting theories regarding evaluation of near future and distant future options (outcomes, activities, products). The options had abstract or goal- relevant features (called high-level construal features) as well as more co ncrete or goal-irrelevant features (called low-level construal features). T he studies varied the valence (positive vs. negative) and the type of valen ce (affective vs, cognitive) of the low-level and high-level construal feat ures. The results show that the weight of high-level construal features, co mpared with the weight of low-level construal features, is greater in deter mining distant future preferences than near future preferences. The implica tions of the results for extant theories of time-dependent changes in prefe rence are discussed.