Rick H. Hoyle
Duke University

Self-regulation encompasses an array of processes and strategies by which people manage their pursuit of goals. Of central importance in self-regulation is the capacity to accurately forecast opportunities and obstacles and learn from prior experiences related to the pursuit of specific goals. Through forethought, effective self-regulators develop plans and strategies that take into account anticipated barriers and affordances. Through self-reflection, they draw on remembered experiences from prior instances of goal pursuit, finding motivation in the affect that arises from subjective evaluations of  goal-directed behavior. I review research on forethought and self-reflection in self-regulation, with a specific focus on accuracy and bias in forecasts and memories related to the pursuit of goals. I highlight differences between effective and ineffective self-regulators in the strategic use of mental time travel in the management of goal pursuit.