Priming Future Cultural Identities in Self-Defining Future Projections: Findings of a Pilot Online Cross-Sectional Study

A pilot cross-sectional online study attempts to clarify the role of implicit sociocultural attitudes in future thinking and tests a hypothesis that the implicit activation of Individualism / Collectivism concepts changes the content and other characteristics of self-relevant images of the future — self-defining future projections (SDFPs). The study performed in 2019-2020 involved 191 people, mean age — M = 36.9 (SD = 10.4) years. Group 1 underwent Individualism priming: 108 people (11.2% of males), mean age — M = 37.6 (SD = 1.04) years. Group 2 underwent Collectivism priming: 83 people (22.9% of males), age — M = 36 years (SD = 1.13). No significant sociodemographic between-group differences were found (p<0.05). Two versions of the online survey (one with an Individualism priming task and another with a Collectivism priming task) were randomly sent to students and teachers of Russian higher education institutions. After completing the priming task, the respondents constructed SDFPs in line with the definition provided and evaluated their quality. Experts rated SDFP thematic content, integration of meaning and specificity in accordance with valid coding pro¬cedures. Collectivism / Individualism levels were assessed using the INDCOL test. The priming procedure had a small significant effect on SDFP thematic content, interpersonal orientation, and specificity. It was more prominent in the Collectivism priming, although expected correlations between the Individualism and feelings of the Autonomy and Competence need satisfaction in SDFPs were also found. Collectivism seemed to strengthen future thinking overgenerality and to hinder the capacity to reflect on one’s own future. On the contrary, Individualism involves taking personal responsibility, but it seemed to enhance the need for Relatedness and social support (a protective factor in depressive conditions) in a compensatory manner. The data contributes to a further understanding of implicit influences on future thinking and suggest that it is the balance of the Collectivism and Individualism values that is crucial for mental health.