The relationship between optimismpessimism and personality. In this article we discuss the strategies that people may use to cope with situations that are risky in that they present the possibility for failure and potential threats to selfesteem. While pessimism is often seen as a negative trait, defensive pessimism can be a useful way for someone to harness their anxiety into positive results. Ap psychology chapter personality flashcards quizlet. Reflection and distraction defensive pessimism, strategic optimism.
Indeed, norem and burdzovic andreas 2006 found that, compared to optimists, defensive pessimists had lower selfesteem entering college. In selfgenerated metaphors, content analyses of the metaphors revealed that. Defensive pessimism may facilitate shortterm planning and task performance but hinder the motivation to invest in the construction of longrange future orientation. Seligmans work with the penn resiliency programme, and the programme outlined in his books, learned optimism and the optimistic child suggested optimism can be learned, but whether this was learning optimism or reducing pessimism is a point to consider. Email citation this is a very brief introduction to the construct of defensive pessimism that includes discussion of how it relates to other types of optimism and pessimism. Notably, these are strategies that people can rely on to alter their effort toward. One study shows that this has everything to do with negative mood. Defensive pessimism is a cognitive strategy identified by nancy cantor and her students in the mid1980s.
And thanks to both books, ive nailed down a precise term for my brand of pessimism. This is a very brief introduction to the construct of defensive pessimism that includes discussion of how it relates to other types of optimism and pessimism. Give me my parachute and i will at least feel a little better. In this article, we consider some of the ways that the costs and benefits of different kinds of optimism and pessimism may vary across different individuals, situations, and cultural contexts. To summarize, both psychodynamic and humanistic theories have their great insights to offer when it comes to personality psychology, despite the fact that both have received their share of. Pessimism is definitely a poison to the roots of true happiness. Journal of personality and social psychology, 45, 1276. Article pdf available in journal of personality and social psychology 516. Pessimism is associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, hostility, high blood pressure, heart disease, and lifestyle or behavior choices that can be damaging to ones overall health and. Defensive pessimism questionnaire wellesley college. Reading rackoffs description of defensive pessimism is like reading my autobiography.
The relationship between optimismpessimism and personality traits among students in the hashemite university ahmad m. Optimism and pessimism psychology oxford bibliographies. Instead, it is a highly accessible discussion of personality types and strategies for dealing with the anxiety that modern society brings. Personality an individuals characteristic pattern of thinking, feeling, and acting, across time and situations. Individuals use defensive pessimism as a strategy to prepare for anxietyprovoking events or performances. Some psychological effect associated with positive and. We use defensive pessimism research to illustrate that there are times when pessimism and negative thinking are indeed positive psychology, as they lead. Norem joined the faculty at wellesley college in 1992, and she teaches courses in personality psychology, research methods, as well as a seminar on. Batayeneh3 1 department of educational psychology, faculty of educational science, hashemite university, jordan. The upside of pessimism the theory of defensive pessimism suggests that imaginingand planning forworstcase scenarios can be more effective than trying to think positively. Defensive pessimists dps, who set low expectations, feel anxious, and rehearse possible. Journal of personality and social psychology, 57, 332350.
Subjects either generated experiment 1 or endorsed experiment 2 a metaphor that represented their views about six facets of their lives e. Defensive pessimists lower their expectations to help prepare themselves for the worst. Three components of anticipatory strategies expectations, anxiety, and extent of preparation were assessed at. Harnessing anxiety as motivation article pdf available in journal of personality and social psychology 516. Sep 12, 2014 the upside of pessimism the theory of defensive pessimism suggests that imaginingand planning forworstcase scenarios can be more effective than trying to think positively. Aug 19, 2002 in this article, we consider some of the ways that the costs and benefits of different kinds of optimism and pessimism may vary across different individuals, situations, and cultural contexts. Journal of personality and social psychology, 65, 822835. Strategy dependent effects of reflecting on self and tasks. Those who use the strategy feel anxious and out of control as they think about an upcoming situation. Aug 12, 2015 psychodynamic theory implies that people cannot change who they are, at least not significantly. This article will walk through what defensive pessimism is, how it relates to positive psychology and. Defensive pessimism is a strategy used by people who are anxious about an upcoming event. A motivational analysis of defensive pessimism and selfhandicapping andrew j. Pdf a twofactor model of defensive pessimism and its relations.
Defensive pessimism, anxiety, and the complexity of evaluating selfregulation. Personality and social psychology bulletin, 31, 1203. Individuals who use defensive pessimism set low expectations, and play through extensive mental simulations of possible outcomes as they prepare for goal. When implementing defensive pessimism, individuals set low expectations for their performance, regardless of how well they have done in the past. The positive psychology of negative thinking norem 2002. However, pessimism more often develops as a result of external circumstances. Each dwarf has a distinct and dominant personality trait. Theories of personality view of the causes and motives underlying personality and personality development 1. Anticipatory thoughts and feelings of defensively pessimistic and moderately depressed college students were compared in order to identify factors that distinguish effective strategies of negative thinking from those that may be maladaptive.
Distinguishing defensive pessimism from depression. Studies have found that the defensive pessimism cognitive strategy. The positive psychology of negative thinking norem. Most events in your life are neutral, like driving your car or getting the mail from your mailbox, but it is your attitude that will define your experience. Personality development in socioeconomic context 402. Defensive pessimism, optimism, and pessimism request pdf. Reflection and distraction defensive pessimism, strategic.
Marys university abstract two studies examined motivational in. Defensive pessimism refers to a domainspecific cognitive strategy that involves thinking through worstcase outcomes of an upcoming achievement. Hence, the study of defensive pessimism has particularly weighty rami. Three components of anticipatory strategies expectations, anxiety, and extent of preparation were assessed at three times over the course of. The positive power of negative thinking is not a 12step program.
Interpersonal relations, culture, and development across the course of life 394. Personality and individual differences nyu psychology. The polish version of the 12item defensive pessimism questionnaire dpq. While some pessimism can actually be beneficial, too much can harm a persons mental health. A motivational analysis of defensive pessimism and self.
Pessimistic, anxious, and depressive personality traits. Depression and causal attributions for success and failure. Defensive pessimism and goal setting via sapientiae depaul. Reflection and distraction defensive pessimism, strategic optimism, and performance stacie m. The second focus came from within personality psychology and. Dec 19, 2007 defensive pessimism is a motivated cognitive strategy that helps people manage their anxiety and pursue their goals. Pessimism is the tendency to expect a poor or unfavorable outcome. The programme was based on beck and elliss cognitive behavioural techniques devised to. When prompted to be in a good mood, defensive pessimists. Pessimism, while it may be useful in isolation or in moderation, is associated with anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, hostility, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In two experiments, several personality attributes evident in metaphors people use to describe everyday experiences were examined.
Defensive pessimism, anxiety, and the complexity of evaluating selfa. Norem spends a good deal of time making the important distinction between the defensive pessimist and other forms of pessimism that are truly debilitating. Then, they mentally play through all the bad things that might happen. Defensive pessimism definition defensive pessimism is a strategy people can use to manage their anxiety. Defensive pessimism is generally related to lower selfesteem since the strategy involves selfcriticism, pessimism, and discounting previous successful performances. Norem personality and social psychology bulletin 2016 22. A pessimistic personality trait measured early in life ages 20 to 39 years was a particularly strong predictor of increased mortality hr 1.
Defensive pessimism is a motivated cognitive strategy that helps people manage their anxiety and pursue their goals. Szpitalak, 2017 was used to measure defensive pessimism. The benefits of defensive pessimism also extends to actual performance. Achievement orientation subscale of jackson s 1974 personality. Some people are genetically predisposed to be more negative than others. In contrary, humanism sees personality as fluid, plastic and vulnerable to change in response to a given environment, therefore it is viewed as continuously being shaped throughout a persons life. Defensive pessimism is a strategy used by anxious people to help them manage their anxiety so they can work productively. We use defensive pessimism research to illustrate that there are times when pessimism and negative thinking are indeed positive psychology, as they lead to better performance and personal growth. Defensive pessimism refers to a domainspecific cognitive strategy that involves thinking through worstcase outcomes of an upcoming achievement situation, even though they have been successful in. Defensive pessimism is linked to more positive outcomes than disposi. Journal of personality and social personality, 65, 822835.
Psychoanalytic pessimism versus humanistic optimism. In response to those feelings, they set pessimistic expectations about how things will go, and they mentally rehearse all the things they. An exploration of defensive pessimism, explanatory style. In selfgenerated metaphors, content analyses of the. Defensive pessimism and optimism correlates of adolescent. The relationship between optimism pessimism and personality traits among students in the hashemite university ahmad m. Jul 08, 2018 and thanks to both books, ive nailed down a precise term for my brand of pessimism. Journal of personality and social psychology, 52, 12081217. Some implications of optimism and defensive pessimism. Jul 08, 2018 optimism and pessimism arent just accidents.