Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026

The Joint Effect of Social Comparison and Social Distance on Evaluation of Intertemporal Choice Outcomes in Event-related Potential Studies
Published on: August 25, 2023
Does Self-Projection Have a Dominant Temporal Direction? In Nine Countries, People Feel More Similar to Their Future
Jareef Martuza1, Simen Bø1, Helge Thorbjørnsen1
1Norwegian School of Economics, Bergen, Norway.
Abstract:
Do you project your current self-the person you are today-equally across time? Compared to the present, 12 studies (total N = 11,416) reveal that people feel more similar to their future selves than their equidistant past selves. This future-oriented asymmetry in self-projection is directionally consistent across nine countries, with variation in effect size, and holds across different time horizons. Time-asymmetric self-projection covaries with higher levels of emotional connection between present and future selves and lower levels of perceived future self-change. We also provide preliminary causal-chain evidence for perceived self-change as a process by experimentally manipulating self-change beliefs. The future-oriented asymmetry appears to be self-focused, as it does not extend to others. Finally, future-oriented self-projection can lead to miscalibrated expectations: People expect their future selves to be more satisfied with hypothetical decisions made in the present than they currently would be with the same decisions in the past.
Related Concept Videos
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
Self-Esteem and Culture
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Understanding Self-Concept
Self Within Cultural Contexts
Cultural Influences on Personality

