Pessimists are more likely to explain a negative event as being permanent, global and personal. Three dimensions appear to have the ability to either вЂњprotectвЂќ us or make us more вЂњvulnerableвЂќ to stressful events.Д¬an I see the situation I find myself in as being temporary rather than forever? For example, how do I perceive a set-back at work, a relationship break-up or a sports injury?Д¬an I compartmentalise the situation to recognise that it relates to this one specific instance rather than everything? For example, getting a bad result on a test, having an interpersonal issue or struggling with a project at work are single events, not the only outcomes that are possible.Д¬an I recognise that anyone in my position would feel this way, rather than thinking itвЂ™s about me? For example, how do I interpret not getting a promotion at work, a rejection from someone to go on a date, or experiencing grief or loss? Interestingly, research tells us that how we explain outcomes, relating to both positive and negative events, can provide us with some answers to how we can learn to become more optimistic (in a balanced way!). At the same time, itвЂ™s important to note being too optimistic canВ lead to impracticality and overconfidence. We know a healthy dose of optimism is important for wellbeing. What is it that protects humans from the effects of negative events? This subgroup appeared to be вЂњimmuneвЂќ to helplessness.

Early lab tests in the 1960s told us that when humans experience something aversive, two out of three become helpless. Positive psychology was informed by early research around learned helplessness the sense that вЂњwhen bad things happen, I canвЂ™t do anything, so I donвЂ™t even tryвЂќ. As a result, the profession has come under scrutiny! As clinical psychologist Martin Seligman nicely states, вЂњWe not only want to focus on taking weeds out of the garden, we also need to cultivate and nurture the things we want to grow.вЂќ This led to the discipline of positive psychology-how do we go about building wellbeing which is more than just alleviating suffering? The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authorвЂ™s own and do not necessarily reflect those of CoinMarketCap.Clinical psychology has traditionally focused on suffering, misery, conflict and mental illness within humans.

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Learned optimism