But what kind of mental processing is associated with pessimism? Let’s discuss the psychology of pessimism in more detail.Ī more psychology-focused definition of pessimism depicts it as a cognitive mode characterized by a negative outlook (Hecht, 2013). Since they tend to focus on their weaknesses and insecurities, they may have low self-esteem and confidence. With this perceived lack of security, they may never feel confident in their successes or position in society. Moreover, they may think that nothing good will last long and feel as if the rug will be pulled from under their feet at any moment. Because they always expect the worst things to happen, they aren’t willing to take risks. As a result, they may focus heavily on what can go wrong, be genuinely surprised when things work out in the end, or question the validity of the positive outcomes. Pessimists typically have a gloomy or skeptical outlook. Indeed, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines pessimism as “the attitude that things will go wrong and that people’s wishes or aims are unlikely to be fulfilled” (APA, 2022). When we sift everything through the filter of pessimism, we absorb some information -mainly the negative things- while ignoring the other information, which makes us see mostly the dark side of things. We all experience life in unique ways as we pass every word and event through our minds’ filters. Finally, you will learn practical strategies to keep your pessimism at bay to achieve optimal psychological well-being.īefore reading on, if you're a therapist, coach, or wellness entrepreneur, be sure to grab our free Wellness Business Growth eBook to get expert tips and free resources that will help you grow your business exponentially. In this article, you’ll also discover how pessimism differs from other concepts, such as optimism and realism. Does this sound like you or someone you care about? If so, read on to explore pessimism and the root causes of pessimistic tendencies. In other words, I used to be overly pessimistic. That’s because I used to have a “glass is half empty, and the water is rapidly evaporating” mindset and would assume the worst possible reasons for being summoned to her office. However, if you are like the younger me, you’d be chewing your nails while sitting on the edge of your office chair, struggling to focus on anything until 10 am. Bonus self-confidence points if you think your supervisor wants to meet with you to compliment your talent and diligence with the project. Kudos to you if you feel neutral or calm in a situation like this.
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