The need for purpose thus drives people to attain objective goals and also pursue more idealized states of fulfillment. Purpose as meaning is not contemplated with respect to one's current situation but rather conceived according to the possibility of some future state of affairs. Narrative thought is a preferred form of mental representation here because it preserves the temporal order of events, which is a central aspect of purpose. Life stories also provide researchers with an excellent resource for understanding how individuals cope with negative life events, specifically, by revealing narrators' tendencies to view their victimization as linked to some positive outcome. By viewing a negative outcome as precursor for something positive, people can better cope with tragedy and maintain a sense of purpose in life.