This biased processing of new information can be highly beneficial when it results in the protection of an individual’s self-esteem or maintains important feelings of self-worth 5. They have been shown to exhibit ‘asymmetric updating’, more readily assimilating evidence that confirms their prior beliefs, meanwhile ignoring or failing to process information that is contradictory to their own worldview 4. ![]() Rather than exhibit ‘Bayesian updating’ whereby individuals evaluate incoming information and re-set their beliefs in light of the new evidence, optimists often display a systemic cognitive bias. Surprisingly perhaps, depression has been shown to be correlated with a more accurate perception of the world around us, with positive mental health associated with a raft of self-enhancing biases 3.Ī particularly interesting aspect of an optimist’s behaviour is their ability to retain a positive outlook in the face of seemingly overwhelming contradictory evidence. Meanwhile, optimism has challenged our beliefs regarding what constitutes positive mental health and how we perceive reality. Its genesis and location within the brain have been precisely mapped 1 and its contribution to our evolutionary success and personal development shown to be highly significant 2. ![]() The role and influence of optimism in our lives have been the subject of a great deal of research interest. Being an optimist or pessimist is likely to have a significant impact on your behaviour when faced with adversity, your approach to risk-taking, your career choices, your explanation of personal events, your relationships and most importantly your health. Whether you see the glass half empty or half full is not just an interesting social classification. ![]() Those less optimistic can be left to muse over the reasons for their lack of belief, finding themselves engaging in reassuring counter-factual thinking, smugly imagining the consequences of such unchecked optimism. Optimists can often appear oblivious to their positivity, deriding others for their negative thinking. No matter how daunting the task or how high the probability of failure, they continue to believe that everything will turn out alright in the end. Optimists can appear to inhabit a parallel universe.
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