Tom and Julius are both in line for a movie, but it sells out before either of them can get tickets. Tom is the last person in line, but Julius is directly behind the person who got the last ticket. Based on the idea of counterfactual reasoning, why will Julius be more upset than Tom?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Counterfactual reasoning refers to imagining alternative scenarios and outcomes that could have happened, but did not. In this case, since Julius was directly behind the person who got the last ticket, it is easier for him to imagine how he could have gotten the ticket if he had just been a little faster or if the person in front of him had hesitated. Tom, on the other hand, was the last person in line and may feel like there was nothing he could have done differently to get a ticket. Therefore, Julius is more likely to feel regret and frustration from imagining the missed opportunity.

Tom and Julius Are Both in Line for a Movie