Carmen D. COTEȚ* & Emilia A. VEREȘEZAN
Babeș-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Abstract
Affective forecasts refer to individual predictions regarding future emotions. In this study, we aimed to examine relative and absolute accuracy of affective forecasts, as well as possible predictors of absolute accuracy in affective forecasting. A number of 95 participants (M age = 20.33, SD = 2.26) underwent a computerized cognitive performance task with invariable negative feedback. In order to examine relative accuracy of affective forecasts we used a correlational design, we computed differences between means for the absolute accuracy analysis, and we analyzed predictors of absolute accuracy using regression. Thus, results confirm that individuals predict emotions accurately in the relative sense, and inaccurately in the absolute sense, by overestimating future negative emotions. Considering predictors of absolute accuracy, perceived task difficulty predicted negative functional, and particularly annoyance forecasting accuracy. Regarding negative dysfunctional forecasts and emotions, anger accuracy was predicted by socially prescribed perfectionism and perceived self-efficacy in the cognitive task. This study is in line with current literature and provides possible future directions in the study of affective forecasting by employing a functional categorization of negative emotions, based on the REBT theory.
Keywords: affective forecasting, emotion, prediction, accuracy
