An adaptive function of mental time travel: Motivating farsighted decisions

Behav Brain Sci. 2018 Jan:41:e3. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X1700125X.

Abstract

The episodic memory system allows us to experience the emotions of past, counterfactual, and prospective events. We outline how this phenomenological experience can convey motivational incentives for farsighted decisions. In this way, we challenge important arguments for Mahr & Csibra's (M&C's) conclusion that future-oriented mental time travel is unlikely to be a central function of episodic memory.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Communication
  • Emotions
  • Memory, Episodic*
  • Mental Recall
  • Prospective Studies