Our test utilizes the very well researched Life Orientation Test to measure overall optimism and pessimism by evaluating your outlook on the future. You may be pessimistic for example about the prospects of getting a new job, or about your partner forgiving you for an indiscretion. Pessimism is essentially the direct opposite of optimism in that it is the belief that the world is a bad place and that things will turn out for the worst. People can also be optimistic about their internal lives and still pessimistic about external world events. Most people are generally optimistic about things that have turned out well for them in the past, or about things that have good associations for them. The optimist believes (for example) that events will turn out for the best, or that people are trustworthy. Optimism is the overall view that the world is a great place and that things will turn out ok.

If you're interested in learning optimism you might want to read Optimism techniques were far less likely to develop depression, anxiety and also enjoyed improved overall health. To prove his point he taught students a number of optimism techniques and compared the mental health of these students to those without the skills. Martin Seligman a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania believed optimism like many other skills could be So like many other components of our psychology optimism is partly determined by genetics and partly determinedīy environment, social support as well as our learned behaviors. To either optimism or pessimism is 25% determined by your genes. The study showed 25% heritability of both optimism and pessimism, meaning your disposition Half of the twins were raised together while the other half were raised apart. Just how much of your optimism or pessimism is inherited and based on your genes? A study on 500 pairs of identical twins conducted in 1992 sought to answer this question. Say you're pessimistic (as most people are) but wish to switch teams and enjoy some of the benefits of being optimistic, is it possible to change your outlook? Numerous studies into the relationship between our outlook and mental health have demonstrated that being optimistic improves our overall well being, stress included. More constructive during relationship adversity.Ī longitudinal study on MBA graduates revealed optimist found jobs more easily and were more likely to be promoted.

It seems optimistic people were more hopeful about the future and were subsequently The study used the SF-36 survey which measures overall vitality, mobility, pain and many other factors.Ī longitudinal study on dating couples found optimist enjoyed more satisfying and longer lasting relationships. Optimist live roughly 8-10 years longer than pessimist.Ī 1 year follow up in a study on 101 French head and neck cancer patients found that optimistic people were less likely to die.Īn Australian study on 9501 women found optimistic people had greater overall health. A 10 year study on elderly revealed those with a positive outlook not only live longer they're also less likely to require permanent care.

Optimism and pessimism