GREAT EXPECTATIONS

The science of hope and optimism.

“Hope smiles from the threshold of the year to come,
whispering, ‘It will be happier.’”

— Alfred Tennyson

As a New Year dawns, we think of fresh starts, second chances, and RENEWED HOPE. It’s good to look forward with OPTIMISM. Science agrees.

Research shows that optimistic people:

– live longer than pessimists
– take fewer sick days

Source

– are more resilient to stress
– use better coping strategies

Source

– experience less depression and anxiety
– are less likely to consider or commit suicide

Source 1, Source 2

– generally experience a higher quality of life

Source

– are more likely to exercise regularly
– are healthier, mentally and physically
– are less likely to smoke
– are less likely to abuse alcohol

Source

– are happier at their jobs
– get more job offers and promotions

Source

BUT . . .

a little pessimism helps keep you grounded

“Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults are pessimistic about the country’s future. This may not be all bad, though. Decades of research have found that positive thinking isn’t always so positive. In some cases, pessimists fare better than those with a sunnier disposition.”

— “The Power of Negative Thinking” (The Atlantic)

Seeing the world only through rose-colored glasses — known as “optimism bias” — can have its drawbacks, such as:

– overestimating your capabilities
– taking unnecessary risks
– living in a bubble of naiveté
– overlooking very real dangers
– setting yourself up for disappointment

“Optimism involves expectation—the belief that things are at least likely to get better. Hope, on the other hand, involves merely believing that better outcomes are possible.”

— Andrew Chignell

Professor of Philosophy,
University of Pennsylvania

READ ORBITER'S INTERVIEW

Where Does Faith Fit?

Researchers discuss the connection between faith and hope.

Just the data, please . . .

Global Optimism

Share of the population who think the world is getting better

Source

Global Pessimism

Share of the population who think the world is getting worse

Source

Optimism in the USA

How Americans identify themselves

Source

Optimism and Health

How Americans identify themselves

In an 8-year study, optimists had a
50% less chance of dying
in those eight years

Optimistic adults are
twice as likely
as pessimists to
have healthy hearts

Source 1, Source 2

Optimism and Academics

Students who scored high in hope

Students who scored low in hope

Another study indicated that hope is a greater predictor of academic success than intelligence, personality, or previous academic achievement

Source

Too Optimistic?

80% of us are delusionally optimistic

The science term is “optimism bias,” the belief that things will always get better, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. But some degree of optimism bias is good.

Tali Sharot, a neuroscientist at University College London, explains in this TED talk: