This study replicated the experiments from the study in From What Might Have Been to What Must have Been: Counterfactual Thinking Creates Meaning (Kray et al., 2010). Research on counterfactual thinking has been an explosive industry over the past 25 years, with emphasis placed on affective states (such as disappointment, regret, and guilt) and causal judgments that arise from considering alternatives to the existing reality. Whether it be the thrilling first encounter with a future spouse or the tragic loss of a loved one, reflecting on and mentally undoing moments (Kray et al., 2010) and asking "What would my life be like if this pivotal experience had not occurred?" facilitates understanding of the event's significance in the big picture of life. Over 400 students from several universities throughout the United States and Chinese students from Qufu Normal University participated in this study. The results of the four hypotheses replicated in this study indicated that overall the Chinese students were more positive than the students in the United States. There was no indication that fate perception had any significance in the replicated study compared to the original study. There was also significant difference in Question 1: "It made me who I am today" between the students in China and the United States and did not correlate with Kray et al.'s (2010) original study and will further examine other differences in counterfactual thinking and the three conditions in both countries.
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