Answers Quote by Stephen King
“Research can only present data about the past. No one seriously believes that people's answers to hypothetical questions about the future accurately represent their future behaviour; they merely represent a current attitude, which may or may not be translated into future behaviour.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Dark Tower VII: The Dark Tower, Stephen King, 2004
Research shows past data; future predictions from hypothetical answers are unreliable, reflecting current attitudes more than actual future actions.
In simple terms: Research reflects past, not future behavior.
Treat predictions with caution.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- market research
- policy planning
- personal goal setting
- risk assessment
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we better predict future actions?
- What methods improve forecast reliability?
Future behavior may differ despite current attitudes.