11/26/2023 0 Comments Optimism psychology![]() Having a healthy dose of optimism (seeing a situation as being temporary, local and external) has been shown to be a protective factor against learned helplessness and can enhance our wellbeing. This explanatory style has been found to be a risk factor for learned helplessness and depression. Pessimists are more likely to explain a negative event as being permanent, global and personal. Three dimensions appear to have the ability to either “protect” us or make us more “vulnerable” to stressful events.Ĭan I see the situation I find myself in as being temporary rather than forever? For example, how do I perceive a set-back at work, a relationship break-up or a sports injury?Ĭan I compartmentalise the situation to recognise that it relates to this one specific instance rather than everything? For example, getting a bad result on a test, having an interpersonal issue or struggling with a project at work are single events, not the only outcomes that are possible.Ĭan I recognise that anyone in my position would feel this way, rather than thinking it’s about me? For example, how do I interpret not getting a promotion at work, a rejection from someone to go on a date, or experiencing grief or loss? ![]() Interestingly, research tells us that how we explain outcomes, relating to both positive and negative events, can provide us with some answers to how we can learn to become more optimistic (in a balanced way!). At the same time, it’s important to note being too optimistic can lead to impracticality and overconfidence. ![]() We know a healthy dose of optimism is important for wellbeing. What is it that protects humans from the effects of negative events? This subgroup appeared to be “immune” to helplessness. Early lab tests in the 1960s told us that when humans experience something aversive, two out of three become helpless. Positive psychology was informed by early research around learned helplessness the sense that “when bad things happen, I can’t do anything, so I don’t even try”. As a result, the profession has come under scrutiny! As clinical psychologist Martin Seligman nicely states, “We not only want to focus on taking weeds out of the garden, we also need to cultivate and nurture the things we want to grow.” This led to the discipline of positive psychology-how do we go about building wellbeing which is more than just alleviating suffering? Clinical psychology has traditionally focused on suffering, misery, conflict and mental illness within humans.
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