Future Orientation Outcomes

As previous chapters described the development of future orientation and its indicators in infancy, childhood, and adolescence, its personality correlates, gender differences, and how interpersonal relationships affect it, this chapter is about the ‘What for’ of future orientation? What behavioral and developmental purposes does future orientation serve? Why do individuals “need” an orientation to the future and consequently why should researchers have an interest in studying it? Answers vary from the global to the specific.