Abstract

The aim of this review is to discuss the main results of classical and recent research on counterfactual thinking. Since the development of the simulation heuristic (Kahneman & Tversky, 1982b), and the norm theory (Kahneman & Miller, 1986), many different studies have shown that some events are mentally undone more easily than others, that counterfactual information is crucial for causal reasoning, that the generation of counterfactual scenarios amplifies emotional reactions to events, and affects social judgements. The recent functional perspective has contributed to further define the relationship between counterfactual thinking, affective experience, and behavior: counterfactual thinking appears to fulfil different functions in different situations.