Which of the following best describes the impact bias?

The impact bias refers to the tendency for individuals to overestimate the duration and intensity of future emotional reactions to significant events, whether positive or negative. This means that people often believe that they will feel happier for a longer time following a positive event, or significantly more upset for a longer time after a negative event, than is actually the case.

The correct choice highlights this misconception about the duration of emotions, indicating that people struggle to accurately predict how long their emotions will last. This often leads to disappointment when their actual emotional responses do not align with their expectations.

Understanding impact bias is crucial in social psychology as it sheds light on how people's expectations about future feelings can influence their decision-making and approach to life events. By recognizing this bias, individuals can work towards developing a more accurate view of how they will cope with future successes or setbacks.