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Category: Data

Description: In two experiments (N = 554), we examined whether the tendency to a more positive self-view in a more distant future, called here the future self-enhancement effect, has positive implications for current task performance. We found that although thinking about own distant (vs near) future directly decreases task performance, it improves task performance via increased future self-appraisals, regardless of absolute vs comparative way of self-appraising. Experiment 2 (2a and 2b) replicated these findings and additionally revealed (Experiment 2a) the effect of future temporal distance on task performance via both future self-appraisals and current self-evaluations. Together these results confirmed robustness of the future self-enhancement effect on current task performance and a limited contribution of current self-evaluations in this process.