Always look on the bright side…
by Gian Gonzaga | January 8th, 2009Research has shown that there is great value to being optimistic. Optimists are more likely to continue trying to complete a difficult task, more likely to have successful outcomes in life (marriage, career), and ever more likely to be physically healthy. Despite these findings, however, many researchers still believe that people are motivated to be accurate, rather than optimistic, in their perceptions of certain things.
But what do non-scientists believe? Professor David Armor (UC San Diego) and his colleagues Cade Massey (Yale University) and Aaron Sackett (University of Chicago) published a paper in Psychological Science where they investigated how optimistically people believe they or others will react to certain life circumstances such as having a surgery, making a financial investment, anticipating an academic prize. Not surprisingly, the average person reported being somewhat optimistic and also perceived others to be somewhat optimistic when in the same situation. However, when participants were asked how optimistic they should be, they said that people should be significantly more optimistic than they actually are across all the different situations. In other words, no matter how optimistic you are, others believe that you should be even more optimistic. Apparently we need to look at the bright side of life even more than we already do.
Further Reading:
David A. Armor, Cade Massey, Aaron M. Sackett (2008). Prescribed Optimism: Is It Right to Be Wrong About the Future? Psychological Science, 19 (4), 329-331 DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02089.x
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January 8th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
There’s an old saying that goes something like “Instead of cursing the dark, go find a candle”… optimism is proactive. It means that no matter what kind of adverse things may happen, you will always look for either the silver lining or believe there is a way out. Unhappiness is a trap that kills the human spirit by making you accept that there is nothing for you but defeat. Optimism is the cure and the magic elixir to finding that happiness we all desire so greatly.
February 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
There is obviously a lot to know about this. I think you made some good points in Features also.
March 18th, 2009 at 5:13 am
Being optimistic is great. But there is a downside to being too optimistic. Always looking on the brighter side of events or things can be healthful to the mind or keep perserverance, but always being optimistic about a relationship that is one sided(especially on your behalf), can leave you mentally exhausted.
I would say be optimistic about goals, not relationships that do not lead anywhere.
March 29th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Choosing to be optimistic as a way of life seems to free the mind to be open and creative. The open-mindedness and creativity reduces stress which can cause negative reactions to circumstances and others. Being optimistic in interpersonal relationships helps to see the facts, hopefully not focus on the negativity surrounding them. Choosing to be optimistic can aid recognition of redflags sooner rather than later.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:45 am
Being optimistic is one thing, but being unrealistically optimisitic is another, and can be harmful. Being unrealistic in your optimism can cause disappointment, discouragement, a feeling of failure, and eventually, depression. With the Pop Psychology Crowd filling our heads with unrealistic ideals and expectations, more and more people are experiencing depression, anxiety, anger, and other emtotional distresses than every before. This tells me that today’s psycholgical advices, and moderd psychotherapy techniques are doing more harm than good. For me, reality first, positive thinking second.
October 10th, 2009 at 8:18 am
I will be optimistick to find a proper matches on E Harmony !