Individual social issue experiences: An exploration of the future orientation of individuals, perceived consequences and feelings.

Abstract

Previous research has demonstrated that an individual's behaviour can be predicted on the basis of their time orientation. This study extends this view by examining individuals' selfreported behaviour across two social issues (excessive alcohol consumption and speeding) in order to understand the relationship between immediate versus future time orientation, feelings and consequences in relation to two important social issues. A web-based selfadministered survey was utilised to gather data from a convenience sample of largely university staff and students. The results indicate that future oriented individuals are more likely to assess few negative consequences and anticipate more positive feelings associated with their experiences related to the social issue.