2' - Your Future Self

Professor Hal Hershfield's research explores the disconnect people feel with their future selves and how this disconnect influences decision-making. He found that individuals often undervalue long-term benefits, preferring short-term gratification, because they struggle to envision their future selves. However, he discovered that exposing people to digitally aged images of themselves significantly increased their focus on long-term goals, leading them to make choices that benefited their future selves, such as saving more for retirement. His findings suggest that visualizing one's older self can bridge the gap between present and future, promoting more responsible decision-making.