Question

Discussion: Realistic versus Unrealistic Optimism

Purpose: To think about the limits of optimism and the need for an optimistic attitude to be grounded in reality.

*MINIMUM 250 WORDS*

Research shows that an optimistic attitude toward life, whether defined as a disposition or explanatory style, has a variety of benefits compared to pessimism. Optimists enjoy higher overall well-being and use more effective coping skills in dealing with life’s many challenges. Whether recovering from bypass heart surgery, coping with breast cancer, or adjusting to college, optimists generally do better than pessimists. However, many researchers have suggested that optimism needs to be realistic to be effective. John Henryism, compulsive gamblers, and smokers are a few examples of people who may suffer the ill-effects of unrealistic optimism.  

- What are examples of unrealistic optimism that you have seen in other people or yourself? What makes them unrealistic? What were the effects? What needs or motivations seemed to lie behind wishful/unrealistic thinking? What things need to be considered in judging whether optimism is realistic or unrealistic?

Answer 1

Some examples of unrealistic optimism that could be seen are rash drivers believing in their safety and no accidents.or people with unhealthy lifestyles believing no diseases, etc.

Such expectations are unrealistic because the individuals concerned are underestimating the likelihood of experiencing negative outcomes inspite of not maintaining the required precautions. This forms a cognitve bias that causes a person to believe that they are at lesser risk as compared to others. This self deception is unrealistic.

The effetcs of such unrealistic optimism is adverse. People are seen to have fatal illnesses due to unhealthy lifestyles leading to extreme financial and emotional loss. Also, many adolescents and young adults have been reported to have had severe road accidents leading to massive injuries and death due to rash driving.

The motivation that drives them for this wishful unrealistic thinking is an inflated self esteem to stave off discomfort.Due to this drive they do not appreciate negative feedbacks and do not foresee losses.

The things that are to be considered in judging whether optimism is realistic or unrealistic are:

1) the desired end state

2) cognitive mechanisms

3) information the person has about their own selves and about others.

4) the overall mood of the person at the time of decision making.