“If only…”: When counterfactual thoughts can reduce illusions of personal authorship

► Authorship illusions arise when people mentally anticipate an outcome before it occurs. ► These illusions are reduced if people focus less on outcomes and more on actions. ► Upward counterfactuals simulate alternative actions and behaviors - If only I did X. ► Upward counterfactuals represent behavior more in terms of actions than outcomes. ► Generating upward counterfactuals can reduce susceptibility to illusions of personal authorship.