Priming Future Cultural Identities in Self-Defining Future Projections: Findings of a Pilot Online Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

A pilot cross-sectional online study attempts to clarify the role of implicit sociocultural attitudes in future thinking and tests a hypothesis that the implicit activation of Individualism / Collectivism concepts changes the content and other characteristics of self-relevant images of the future — self-defining future projections (SDFPs). The study performed in 2019-2020 involved 191 people, mean age — M = 36.9 (SD = 10.4) years. Group 1 underwent Individualism priming: 108 people (11.2% of males), mean age — M = 37.6 (SD = 1.04) years. Group 2 underwent Collectivism priming: 83 people (22.9% of males), age — M = 36 years (SD = 1.13). No significant sociodemographic between-group differences were found (p<0.05). Two versions of the online survey (one with an Individualism priming task and another with a Collectivism priming task) were randomly sent to students and teachers of Russian higher education institutions. After completing the priming task, the respondents constructed SDFPs in line with the definition provided and evaluated their quality. Experts rated SDFP thematic content, integration of meaning and specificity in accordance with valid coding pro¬cedures. Collectivism / Individualism levels were assessed using the INDCOL test. The priming procedure had a small significant effect on SDFP thematic content, interpersonal orientation, and specificity. It was more prominent in the Collectivism priming, although expected correlations between the Individualism and feelings of the Autonomy and Competence need satisfaction in SDFPs were also found. Collectivism seemed to strengthen future thinking overgenerality and to hinder the capacity to reflect on one’s own future. On the contrary, Individualism involves taking personal responsibility, but it seemed to enhance the need for Relatedness and social support (a protective factor in depressive conditions) in a compensatory manner. The data contributes to a further understanding of implicit influences on future thinking and suggest that it is the balance of the Collectivism and Individualism values that is crucial for mental health.

Self-Defining Future Projections Throughout Adulthood

“…Consistent with the study comparing young and older adults’ SDFPs (Raffard et al, 2020), we found that participants extracted integrative meaning equally frequently whatever their age, with integrative statements featuring in around a third of SDFPs. This high level of integration is in accordance with previous studies (D’Argembeau et al, 2012; Tuchina et al, 2021). It suggests that in order to achieve their personal goals and find a sense of unity (McAdams, 2001), young, middle-aged and older adults all try to associate past and future self-relevant events in their life stories (Habermas & Köber, 2015) in the same way.…”

“…Compared to previous studies (D’Argembeau et al, 2012; Tuchina et al, 2021), the projections of our young participants were less oriented towards achievement in life but similar to Raffard and coworkers’ findings. A possible explanation for the difference between our adults and the Russian one's is that every participant collected just one SDFP in their study.…”

“…A possible explanation for the difference between our adults and the Russian one's is that every participant collected just one SDFP in their study. This could mostly correspond to a major goal and an achievement event to be expected in the near future, as the mean temporal distance was lower in Tuchina and colleagues’ study (2021) than in the present one.…”

“…Only three studies have explored SDFPs in a non-pathological context and in particular in young (D’Argembeau et al, 2012), in middle-aged (Tuchina et al, 2021) and in old er adults (Raffard et al, 2020).…”

“…Finally, midlife is also characterized by major changes in the psychological and physical dimensions (Lachman, 2004). A recent study (Tuchina et al, 2021) explored SDFPs in the general Russian population with a mean age of 36.9 years (SD = 10.4) after a task priming individualism or collectivism. In this sample mostly compose’d of men (83.7%), the authors established that 17.9% of the SDFPs were specific and that the ability to integrative meaning (a mean of 42.1% of the projections were integrated) might be hindered by collectivism attitudes.…”