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Introduction to Optimism and Pessimism

What are Optimism and Pessimism?

Same Game. Different Mindset

Optimism: ‘Hopefulness and confidence about the future or success of something’

Pessimism: ‘A tendency to see the worst aspects of things or believe that the worst will happen.

The Impact of Optimism

Optimism influences how individuals perceive themselves, their environment, how they process incoming information and how they decide to act on it.

(Foregard & Seligman, 2012)

Aims

We hope by the end of this topic you will have:

  • Grasped the definition of optimism andpessimism in relation to explanatory styles.
  • Recognised the helpful and unhelpful aspects of both explanatory styles.
  • Identified that you can make changes towards gaining the benefits of an optimistic explanatory style.
  • Grasped the definition of gratitude and learnt about different activities that can help to foster gratitude.

Consider more:

1) Would you say that you are more optimistic or pessimistic?

2) What do you hope to gain from this part of the course?

Important:

You might want to make notes at this point. These may help you remember things, work out what you want or see how much you’ve changed if you read them again in a few years’ time.