Predicting the phenomenology of episodic future thoughts

Recent findings suggest that multiple event properties contribute to shape the phenomenology of episodic future thoughts, but the specific role of each property is not yet fully understood. This study shows that different phenomenological features are predicted by distinct event properties. The vividness of an episodic future thought largely depends on the familiarity of its constitutive elements (i.e., the envisioned location, persons and objects), while the visual perspective adopted is instead related to the temporal distance of the imagined event. Cognitive feelings such as the sense of pre-experiencing the future depend on sensory–perceptual qualities, and are further modulated by the personal importance attributed to the event. These findings suggest that the essence of episodic future thought—the sensation of mentally visiting one’s personal future—lies, in part, in the relevance of imagined events with respect to personal goals.

► Different aspects of the phenomenology of future thoughts are predicted by distinct event properties. ► Vividness depends on the familiarity of envisioned locations, persons and objects. ► Visual perspective is related to temporal distance. ► The sense of pre-experiencing the future depends on sensory–perceptual qualities. ► This sense is further modulated by the personal relevance of imagined events.