Optimism is a nuanced concept. While many view it as a powerful trait benefiting health, well-being, and career prospects, proposing that if we think big and positively, good things will come our way. However, this perspective is rather simplistic. It's worth noting that many studies on optimism are correlational and don't prove causation. Skeptics often view optimism and its associated notions as forced, unrealistic, or even disingenuous, potentially overshadowing our authentic human experience. Might this be the propaganda of positivity? Let's delve into the intricate science surrounding optimism.
Firstly, how do we define optimism? Common definitions center on hope and confidence about the future and an inclination to see situations in a positive light. These are distinct aspects; while the former concerns positive outcome expectations, the latter emphasizes attention management. More technical terms include the "optimism bias", which suggests we believe we're less prone to adverse events than others. Despite knowing statistics about divorce, cancer, and accidents, we think, "It won't happen to me." Then there's the illusion of self-control, where we overestimate our control over events. Another is the "better than average" effect, where we're overly optimistic about our abilities (Bortolotti & Antrobus, 2015). These definitions largely stem from Western-based research. General studies often gauge a tendency toward optimism vs. pessimism, focusing on our belief in favorable outcomes from our actions.
Optimism does correlate with positive qualities. It's linked with fewer depressive symptoms (Hart et al., 2008), fewer cardiovascular issues (Rozanski et al., 2019), and better overall well-being. But there's a caveat: many of these studies are correlational. Meaning, optimistic individuals often exhibit better health, but it's unclear which causes which. Could a third factor, like genetic predispositions, influence both optimism and health? If there's no causality, what then of interventions aimed at boosting optimism? There are, however, longitudinal studies suggesting those more optimistic earlier in life later show fewer depressive symptoms (Kleinman et al., 2017) and greater happiness (Choi et al., 2016). Yet, these aren't definitive proofs of causality. I did come across a study where optimism was taught (Sergeant & Montgrain, 2014), and participants subsequently displayed fewer depressive symptoms, albeit with moderate short-term effects.
