The end-of-history illusion is a psychological phenomenon where individuals erroneously believe that significant personal growth or changes in their tastes will not continue in the future, despite recognizing considerable changes in the past. This illusion spans across all ages, leading people to predict minimal future changes in personality, core values, and preferences, based on their current state.
For instance, a 20-year-old might underestimate how much they will mature or change in the next decade, while a 30-year-old remembers significant changes they experienced in their 20s.
To overcome this bias, individuals can reflect on their past changes and remind themselves that personal growth is a continuous process, anticipating further evolution in their preferences and values.