Affective forecasting, also known as hedonic forecasting, is predicting how you will feel in the future. Researchers had long examined the idea of making predictions about the future, but psychologists Timothy Wilson and Daniel Gilbert investigated it further. They looked into whether a person can estimate their future feelings. For example, would marrying a certain person bring you happiness ? Or
What Is Affective Forecasting? (Plain Language Explanation)
Affective Forecasting refers to a pattern of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors that many people experience. While it can be challenging, it's also well-understood and treatable.
Key Terms to Know About Affective Forecasting
- Symptoms: The specific ways affective forecasting shows up for you
- Triggers: Situations or thoughts that activate or worsen affective forecasting
- Evidence-based: Treatments backed by scientific research
- Comorbidity: When affective forecasting occurs alongside other conditions
3 Things Most People Don't Know About Affective Forecasting
- Affective Forecasting is far more common than most people realize
- Affective Forecasting is not caused by weakness — it has identifiable biological and psychological causes
- Most people with affective forecasting see significant improvement with the right support
Your Next Steps
Learning about affective forecasting is just the beginning. If you think you're experiencing affective forecasting, speaking with a mental health professional is the most valuable next step.