Affective Forecasting

Affective forecasting is the process of predicting how we will feel in the future about certain events or choices. For instance, when making a significant decision—like choosing a job or a partner—we often imagine how happy or dissatisfied we will be later. However, research shows that we are not always accurate in these predictions, as we tend to overestimate the emotional impact of both positive and negative experiences. Understanding this can help us make better decisions by recognizing that our emotional responses might not align with our expectations.