Conversation with a future self: A letter-exchange exercise enhances student self-continuity, career planning, and academic thinking. Issue 5 (4th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chishima, Yuta; Wilson, Anne E.
• Is Part Of: Self and identity. Volume 20:Issue 5(2021)
• Page Start: 646
• Page End: 671
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04
• Subjects: Future self-continuity -- career planning -- academic-related behavior -- school activity -- high school students; Self -- Periodicals; Identity (Psychology) -- Periodicals; Cognition -- Periodicals; Motivation (Psychology) -- Periodicals; 155.205
• DOI: 10.1080/15298868.2020.1754283
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-8868

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We expected that enhanced future self-continuity could benefit students planning future academic and career pursuits, and tested a new method to foster self-continuity. A pilot study demonstrated that future self-continuity predicted academic and career planning and was lower in vocational-oriented than academic-oriented high school students. In Study 1, vocational-track students' future self-continuity was higher after a letter exchange exercise with their future self (send and reply). In Study 2, students randomly assigned to a letter exchange ( send to and reply from future self ) condition showed increases in future self-continuity, career planning, and academic delay of gratification relative to students assigned to a send-only condition. Perspective taking with a future self can close the gap between present and future selves.