![]() ![]() In one study, a group of children were identified as having risk factors for depression. Conversely, when pessimists expect a poor outcome, it can cause negative feelings including anxiety, anger, or sadness. ![]() An optimists’ expectation of positive outcomes leads to upbeat feelings. Not limited to physical health outcomes, the cultivation of positive thinking can also improve markers of mental health. Furthermore, in those who had a positive outlook, better health outcomes were also observed in those undergoing treatment for cancer or cardiovascular disease, as well as during pregnancy. An optimist is likely to live longer, have superior immune function, and complain of fewer physical symptoms including pain. Even the better social connections of optimists are likely due to their sustained effort to maintain professional and personal relationships.ĭr Heather Rasmussen and colleagues also found that optimism was a significant predictor of health outcomes. All of these outcomes reflected the motivation an individual had to pursue their goals. Carver and Scheier’s research found that optimism can predict good health, better career success and superior social relations. According to psychologists Charles Carver and Michael Scheier: “Optimism is a cognitive construct (…) that also relates to motivation.” With more motivation to succeed, optimists exert more effort to guarantee achievement, in contrast with pessimists who are more likely to give up.īut it does not stop there. Some of the benefits of nurturing such a positive internal dialogue can seem surprising.įirst, learned optimism leads to higher motivation. Seligman’s book Learned Optimism explores the power of optimism in enhancing quality of life, as well as constructive tips on breaking negative habits and nurturing a more positive internal dialogue. The benefits of learned optimismįor decades, researchers have explored the benefits of learned optimism. His research has illuminated the power of positive psychology to fight the 3 P’s of pessimism by practising learned optimism. Martin Seligman has been studying psychology since the 1960s, authoring more than 20 self-help books and publishing 250 articles. These are known as the “3 P’s of pessimism” as formulated by Martin Seligman, who is considered the father of positive psychology. With negative personalisation beliefs, the cycle of pessimism continues. Conversely, a pessimist will see their successes as being due to something external to them, and disappointments as being solely their own responsibility. ![]() They are also much better at finding an external force or situation to blame when things go wrong. An optimist has learned to attribute success in life to their own efforts and abilities. It is therefore no surprise that this all-encompassing pessimism can lead to increased stress and an increased risk of mental health disease. The pervasiveness of pessimism leads a pessimist to believe that failure at work is evidence of, or will lead to, failure in all other aspects of life. An optimist might experience a failure at work yet still be able to see that they have been successful in other areas, such as their personal life. The pessimist will lack this motivation, because they have no belief that their circumstances will improve. When knocked down, the optimist can get back up and try again, because they know that life will get better. Whereas an optimist believes that the darker days will pass, a pessimist may ruminate during a negative time in their life and see the darkness as permanent. This is due to a different outlook on permanence, pervasiveness, and personalisation. Whereas an optimist might bounce back when things go wrong, pessimists can be dissuaded from trying again due to nagging doubts and perceived stress. The 3 P’s of pessimismĮven though optimists and pessimists are faced with the exact same events, pessimists may be more likely to predict negative outcomes. By learning how to cultivate positivity in everyday life, you can improve your productivity and your mental health. Heavily influenced by psychologist Martin Seligman, learned optimism is part of the positive psychology movement. Learned optimism is the concept that a positive mindset can be cultivated, even in those with pessimistic tendencies. This is the surprising power of learned optimism. Are you more of a glass half full or half empty kind of person? Those who develop the ability to see the world from a positive point of view can reap significant benefits including improved health, lower stress levels, increased career success, and even a longer lifespan. ![]()
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