OVERVIEW OF OPTIMISM
Optimism is defined as a mental attitude characterized by confidence, hope towards a positive
future, and success. The optimist sees an opportunity in every difficult situation. Optimism can
also be said as a tendency of taking the most favourable view of the future. They expect a
favourable outcome through the unfavourable situation. Optimism is the concept of
understanding that all of nature is passed, present, and future. It operates by the laws of
optimization, along with Hamilton’s principle of optimization. Being optimistic generally
means an individual expecting the best possible outcome from any given situation and is
dispositional optimism in psychology.
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Characteristics of the optimistic individual:
Individual consistently have a feeling of a good outcome will happen in the future
The sense of success, positive attitude towards the end, and hoping for success during
the challenging period
The individual with optimism waits for opportunities and takes challenging situations as
learning experiences
The optimistic individual will develop positivity inward and shows gratitude for the
good things in the life
The influence of past failure is meagre as they hope for success in the upcoming
situation
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Difference between optimist and pessimists:
The optimist generally looks for the positive outcome and approaches the life events
with a positive outlook; meanwhile, the pessimist pretends to the worst
The optimist looks for a new opportunity to learn. They will have the most positive and
high expectation about the situation whereas the pessimist has less positivity and low
expectation about the situation and usually fear of adverse outcomes
The positive attitude of an optimist leads to more colourful and exciting life, whereas
the negative attitude of a pessimist leads to a dull and meaningless life
Optimist generally develops more self-confidence unlike pessimist
Optimist embraces the challenges in life whereas the pessimist avoids difficulties in life
Optimist shows less fear towards the life situation as they generate hope and positivity
whereas the pessimist develops more fear towards all the situation
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Effects of optimism:
Optimism helps to maintain the better physical health of the individual
The optimism drives to better performance and leads to more significant achievement in
the life
The optimism helps to develop persistence which leads to accomplishing their goals
The individual with good optimism develops better emotional health
The individual with optimism develop a better quality of life which leads to increased
longevity
The individual with optimism tends to experience less stress as they have a positive
attitude and have a belief with their abilities
The model of optimism:
The ABCDE Model: This model is developed by Seligman, based on Aaron Beck’s cognitive-
behavioural technique and Albert Ellis’s rational emotive behavioural therapy. This is the
model of learned optimism. The expansion of the ABCDE Model is as follows
A- Adversity
B- Belief
C- Consequences
D- Disputation
E- Energization
Methods of practising optimism:
The optimism can develop innate with the practice of mindfulness
The development of gratitude can help with the development of optimism. One best
method for practising gratitude in daily life includes practising the gratitude jar
experiment. This experiment contains having an empty jar in the room and writing
appreciation for anyone in the paper every day, and putting the gratitude paper in the
empty pot.
The practice of noting down or making a record for the positive emotions will, in turn,
develop positive thoughts, which lead to the development of optimism
Practising the method of cognitive restructuring can help an individual to establish
optimism by challenging negative, self-limiting beliefs, which replace with more
optimistic thought patterns
Limitations or drawbacks of optimism:
The blinded optimist feels overwhelmed and stressed when things go oppositely than
their expectation
The development of optimistic bias and wishful thinking leads to the drawback in the
work environment
The blinded optimist fails to develop psychological flexibility
The result of the disillusion portrays a negative impact on relationships and leads to a
weak friendship with others
The optimist usually takes a risk in the financial part as they have optimistic hope of
success in all the life events
Let us know what you think of optimism. Contact us at
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