Download or read book The Functional Basis of Counterfactual Thinking [microform] written by Neal J. Roese and published by National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada. This book was released on 1993 with total page 482 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: These findings provide initial support for a functional theory of counterfactual thinking: people may strategically use downward counterfactuals to make themselves feel better (an affective function), and they may strategically use upward and additive counterfactuals to improve performance in the future (a preparative function). The present studies suggest that the mechanism underlying the preparative function represents a causal link from counterfactuals to intentions to overt behaviours. Implications for current theory and future research are considered.