Looking Into The Future: Can Your Perspective Influence Your Motivation?

The three studies explored in the article looked at two ways to visualize future performances -- first person (watching oneself through one's own eyes) and third person (watching oneself from the perspective of another person).

The authors, Noelia A. Vasquez, at York University (Canada) and Roger Buehler, at Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), found that the third person perspective resulted in greater motivation to succeed at the task, especially when people imagined themselves performing well. The increased third person perspective appears to assign greater meaning to the task.

"Mental imagery is commonly used as a preparation strategy in a wide range of performance domains (school, sports, performing arts, public speaking, licensure exams -- as well less 'institutionalized' future performances, such as bringing up a difficult issue with a boss, or resisting temptations such as food or cigarettes)," commented the authors. "These studies suggest that if someone needs a motivational boost to prepare, they may be well advised to envision themselves from the perspective of their audience."

The article, "Seeing Future Success: Does Imagery Perspective Influence Achievement Motivation?" was recently published in the October issue of Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, an official publication of The Society for Personality and Social Psychology.