Optimism
Optimism is the attitude or mindset of expecting events to lead to particularly positive, favorable, desirable, and hopeful outcomes. A common idiom used to illustrate the contrast between optimism and pessimism is a glass filled with water to the halfway point: an optimist is said to see the glass as half full, while a pessimist sees the glass as half empty. In ordinary English, optimism may be synonymous with idealism—often, unrealistic or foolish optimism in particular.
The term derives from the Latin optimum, meaning "best". To be optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, is to expect the best possible outcome from any given situation. This is usually referred to in psychology as dispositional optimism. It reflects a belief that future conditions will work out for the best. As a trait, it fosters resilience in the face of stress.
Theories of optimism encompass dispositional models and models of explanatory style. Methods for measuring optimism have been developed within both of these theoretical frameworks, such as various forms of the Life Orientation Test for the original dispositional definition of optimism and the Attributional Style Questionnaire, which is designed to assess optimism in terms of explanatory style.
Variation in optimism among individuals exhibits a certain degree of heritability and reflects biological trait systems to a considerable extent. Additionally, a person's level of optimism is influenced by environmental factors, including familial environments, and may also be acquired through learning. Moreover, optimism may be associated with an individual's health status.
See also [ Plutchik's Wheel of Emotions ]
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:Optimism ]
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