Counterfactual thinking is a form of mental simulation in which it is imagined how a past event might have unfolded differently and that, according to the dominant view, is employed mainly to understand how to do better in the future. The preparatory function of counterfactuals was initially supported by results regarding, on one level, the characteristics of the modifications most frequently produced and, on another, their effects on future behaviours. However, these findings have not withstood scrutiny in more recent years. In this work, evidence both in favour of and against the preparatory function is reviewed, demonstrating a need to revise it. The review introduces a possible alternative function, an explanatory use for counterfactuals, followed by the argument that this might reconcile disparate empirical results reported in the counterfactual thinking literature.

The Function of Counterfactual Thinking: State of the Art and Perspectives La funzione del pensiero controfattuale: stato dell’arte e prospettive / Bogani, Alessandro; Tentori, Katya; Ferrante, Donatella; Pighin, Stefania. - In: SISTEMI INTELLIGENTI. - ISSN 1120-9550. - ELETTRONICO. - 34:2(2022), pp. 253-269. [10.1422/105039]

The Function of Counterfactual Thinking: State of the Art and Perspectives La funzione del pensiero controfattuale: stato dell’arte e prospettive

Bogani, Alessandro
;
Tentori, Katya;Pighin, Stefania
2022-01-01

Abstract

Counterfactual thinking is a form of mental simulation in which it is imagined how a past event might have unfolded differently and that, according to the dominant view, is employed mainly to understand how to do better in the future. The preparatory function of counterfactuals was initially supported by results regarding, on one level, the characteristics of the modifications most frequently produced and, on another, their effects on future behaviours. However, these findings have not withstood scrutiny in more recent years. In this work, evidence both in favour of and against the preparatory function is reviewed, demonstrating a need to revise it. The review introduces a possible alternative function, an explanatory use for counterfactuals, followed by the argument that this might reconcile disparate empirical results reported in the counterfactual thinking literature.
2022
2
Bogani, Alessandro; Tentori, Katya; Ferrante, Donatella; Pighin, Stefania
The Function of Counterfactual Thinking: State of the Art and Perspectives La funzione del pensiero controfattuale: stato dell’arte e prospettive / Bogani, Alessandro; Tentori, Katya; Ferrante, Donatella; Pighin, Stefania. - In: SISTEMI INTELLIGENTI. - ISSN 1120-9550. - ELETTRONICO. - 34:2(2022), pp. 253-269. [10.1422/105039]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11572/357424
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