Exploring Optimism Checkpoint
Optimism can be both a positive characteristic and a negative depending on how a person applies it to their life. One might think that optimism is solely a positive characteristic, but this is not always the case. Optimism may be described by researchers as a personal trait, this is termed dispositional optimism. In this perspective of optimism a person has an expectation in which a person will have more positive events and a small amount of negative events that will have to be dealt with at times. Another view of optimism is called explanatory style, in which the focus is more on how a person might explain a negative event in a way the keeps them positive. Optimism also can be a negative thing in such aspects of unrealistic optimism. In this aspect of optimism expectations are often so high for a positive outcome that they defy reality. This can easily be described with an example of a person who thinks that they will win the lottery, when in reality the odds are stacked against them. A person with this type of thinking might commonly say that “It won’t happen to me”, when in reality it is more than possible. Optimistic people tend to be healthier and less stressed, and deal with life’s stressors more productively as compared to a pessimistic outlook on life. Hope is another aspect of optimism that can have a positive bearing on one’s life. Hopefulness can create more flexible thinking adding to one’s ability to solve problems. It also builds self-motivation, and reinforces the benefits of optimism. Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary online defines hope as cherishing a desire with anticipation. One can see how optimism and hope are different yet interrelated. Were optimism is more expectation that more positive events will occur as compared to negative, or one’s perspective for how they explain negative events. Defensive pessimism also might sound like a negative perspective, but can be beneficial in one’s life when applied positively. Positive Psychology defines