Pessimism and Optimism
We have hyped optimism over the years. As a psychological disposition, we describe optimism as a mental attitude reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of an endeavour will be positive, favourable and desirable. At every turn, we encourage others to be hopeful and confident about the future or the success of something. Researchers have posited that optimism improves the quality of life and ensures happiness and success. They also claim that optimism has health benefits such as buffering the negative effects of a physical illness.
On the other hand, we widely discourage pessimism. As a psychological disposition, we describe pessimism as a negative or depressed mental attitude. With pessimism, we anticipate an undesirable outcome from a given situation. It is a tendency whereby we see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.
Despite the fact that we perceive optimism as positive and pessimism as negative, could there be any positive aspect of pessimism? Can we say that pessimism is a viable alternative to optimism?
Positive Aspect of Pessimism
We see the positive aspect of pessimism in the theory of defensive pessimism. The theory of defensive pessimism proposes that imagining and planning for worst-case scenarios can be more effective than trying to think positively. Nancy Cantor and her students identified this cognitive strategy in the mid 1980s. People who have high levels of anxiety use this strategy to help them manage their anxiety so that they can work productively. Defensive pessimists lower their expectations to help prepare themselves for the worst. This is because, according to Norem and Chang, they do best when they can think through possible negative outcomes.
There are some benefits of defensive pessimism. Firstly, since defensive pessimists have low expectations, they do not get unduly disappointed if things do not work out as planned. For instance, when expecting the results of a job interview, not being taken for the job will not throw defensive pessimists into the depths of despair. This is because of their low expectations in the first place.
Secondly, since defensive pessimists are negative, they imagine the worst-case scenario and prepare for the worst. As a result, they adequately prepare to face adversity. As such, adversity does not throw them into a state of shock when it occurs. For instance, while waiting for the doctor for news about the outcome of a surgery on a loved one, defensive pessimists tune their minds that death is an option. As such, they are not devastated when the doctor informs them that the patient has passed on.
Thirdly, because of their fear of failure, defensive pessimists are meticulous planners. When faced with a challenge, they consider the possible pitfalls and plug all the possible loopholes. As such, defensive pessimists are more likely to extensively plan and prepare for an examination. They, therefore, leave no stone unturned since they do not want to fail.
Is Pessimism a viable alternative to Optimism?
Can these positive traits of pessimism make it a viable alternative to optimism?
Although we describe pessimists as moody and gloomy, which is a drawback and we describe optimists as cheerful and sunny, which is an advantage, could there be any disadvantages to optimism?
In contrast to defensive pessimism, strategic optimism is the setting of high expectations where one does not think much about what might happen. People with low levels of anxiety use this strategy. According to Norem and Chang, strategic optimists do best when they avoid thinking about possible negative outcomes. However, can this attribute of strategic optimists put them in the category of people who bury their heads in the sand, that is, who refuse to deal with unpleasant realities by pretending that they do not exist?
We see the people that we describe as overly optimistic to be over-confident and to engage in wishful thinking. We also note the attribute of optimism bias. This is a cognitive bias that leads to a tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive outcomes. It also involves a tendency to downplay the possibility of negative outcomes. These attributes may lead to risky behaviour. This is because they may prevent overly optimistic people from adequately planning for the future.
Which of these two, a defensive pessimist or a strategic optimist, is in a better position to prepare for a storm, whether literally or figuratively? The defensive pessimist will carry an umbrella and wear protective clothing in the face of an impending storm. As a result of the negative mindset of a defensive pessimist in anticipating the storms of life, he or she will also plan accordingly. As such, he or she will be in a position to weather these storms whenever they occur.
The strategic optimist, on the other hand may be ill-prepared for a storm both literally and figuratively. Literally, this is because he or she may believe that it will not rain and thus see no need for an umbrella or protective clothing. Figuratively, since the strategic optimist avoids the thought of possible negative outcomes in life, he or she may focus only on the positive. The strategic optimist is thus shocked when major setbacks occur.
In “The Upside of Defensive Pessimism: the Potential Benefits of Anxiety”, Joaquin Selva notes that some people benefit from defensive pessimism and others benefit from strategic optimism. She states that no single method is better for everybody. We may be add that what may be good for each person depends on their individual temperaments and their levels of anxiety.
Conclusion
If, at the end of the day, we achieve the maximum output in whatever endeavour that is at stake, does it matter whether we achieved it through strategic optimism or defensive pessimism? Does the end not justify the means? In that case, can we say that pessimism is a viable alternative to optimism?
The British Statesman, Winston Churchill, stated as follows: “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
What do you see?
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