Beliefs and perceptions about the future: A measurement of future time perspective

Human's ability to consider the future, willingness to make sacrifices in the present to obtain something better in the future has been a significant part of our success as a species (Suddendorf, T., & Corballis, M. C. (1997). Mental time travel and the evolution of the human mind. Genetic, social, and general psychology monographs 123, 133-167.). Although the importance of thinking about the future is apparent to many educators it has only begun to gain prominence within educational research (Kauffman, D. & Husman, J. (2004). Effects of time perspective on student motivation: Introduction to a special issue. Educational Psychology Review, 16, 1-7.). So that educational researchers may continue to consider some of the many dimensions of "future thinking" more fully, this article discusses Future Time Perspective Theory and presents some evidence for the validity of four constructs within FTPT. Over the course of three studies four subscales consistently emerged: Extension, Speed, Connectedness, and Value.