Learned Optimism - Is Pessimism a Bad Thing?
G’day all,
This week we will start looking at the book ‘Learned Optimism’ by Martin Seligman.
Seligman is a professional psychologist most famous for his experiment regarding Learned Helplessness (which we have spoken about before).
Optimism vs Pessimism
The first chapter outlines the two ways of looking at life. Optimism and Pessimism.
Photo by Strannik_fox/iStock / Getty Images
Off the top of your head, what are you?
Ever heard the saying pessimist is either right or pleasantly surprised?
Sounds like a win-win. How could that be bad?
Seligman, however, has found many negative side effects of being too pessimistic.
Photo by zimmytws/iStock / Getty Images
Research shows that pessimists
always look for disaster,
often create self-fulfilling prophecies,
give up more easily, and
get more frequently depressed.
Whereas, optimists do better at
school,
work, and
sport.
Photo by adrian825/iStock / Getty Images
He argues that the core of pessimism is helplessness. That if we think that something is out of our control, we stop trying. While this sounds a bit opposite to a lot of self-help readings that state that we should let go of what we can’t control, I guess the emphasis is to learn what is and isn’t within our control.
Worried that you are a pessimist? The good news is that Seligman things we can change that habit.
So, please, join us on this adventure into Learned Optimism and see what’s it’s all about!
Seligman, M. E. (2006). Learned optimism: How to change your mind and your life. Vintage. Chicago
