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Key points
- Optimism bias describes a tendency to overestimate the occurrence of positive events and outcomes.
- The bias can motivate us to work harder toward reaching goals, and even improve our health.
- While moderate levels of optimism are beneficial, extreme optimism may lead to reckless risk-taking.
Are you a glass-half-full kind of person, someone who views the world through rose-tinted glasses? Do you believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and that every cloud has a silver lining?
Everyday language is full of references to the psychological phenomenon of optimism. It describes a hopeful outlook on life and a general belief that good things are going to happen.
Indeed, many people are affected by a so-called optimism bias. This bias describes a tendency to view positive life events as more likely than what could be expected based on statistics and rational thinking. (For example, I’m currently trying to manage my daughter’s optimistic belief that her birthday—and the associated gifts, cake, and party—is going to come around every couple of weeks rather than just once a year.)
The Evolution of Optimism
Like all other biases, optimism bias can affect people’s judgments and subsequent choices. A positive belief in your chances of an office romance may tempt you into openly flirting with a colleague. An optimistic expectation about the trickiness of foreign languages may lead you to enroll in Russian classes. And a hopeful wish for yet another birthday may inspire you (or rather my dreamer of a 3-year-old) to wear a birthday badge on random days of the year.
If optimism bias has the power to lead us astray from rational choices, why is it so prevalent? There is a simple explanation: It serves an evolutionary purpose.
Similar to related biases such as overconfidence and survivorship bias, optimism bias can serve as an important source of motivation. It shines a light on opportunities while concealing the possibility of hurdles, problems, and failure along the way. This way, optimism bias may help us work toward big goals that might otherwise seem too daunting to even consider.
Indeed, psychology studies have demonstrated measurable benefits of optimism, for example in the areas of health and well-being. Research on the quality of life in cancer patients found that people with higher levels of optimism enjoyed more comfort and happiness in the face of their illness. Furthermore, a literature review on the topic of optimism and health suggested that optimists generally have better physical health than individuals with pessimistic attitudes.
The surprising health benefits of optimism may be attributed to a combination of different reasons. Firstly, optimistic people are likely more motivated to engage in positive health behaviours such as exercise and healthy eating, thereby contributing to better overall health and a reduction of risk factors for many serious illnesses. Additionally, optimists are likely to worry less about the future. This could lower their stress levels and promote higher levels of well-being. Overall, it would appear that an optimistic outlook on life has many advantages, keeping you healthy and happy for longer.
Is Optimism Good for Us?
The studies reviewed above seem to suggest that optimistic attitudes can motivate us while boosting our health and well-being. But is all optimism advantageous? Research tackled this question by testing the relative benefits of different levels of optimism, for example in the area of financial decision-making.
A questionnaire investigation of economic choices found that moderate optimists made better investment choices than extreme optimists and were more likely to save money for the future. This led the authors to conclude that “optimism is a bit like red wine: too much is clearly bad, but a little each day can be good for one's health.”
It appears that extreme levels of optimism can lead to reckless risk-taking or a dangerous neglect of future consequences. Extreme optimism may also mislead us into wasting time and energy on endeavours that are doomed from the start, with research suggesting that individuals with very high levels of optimism may overcommit to projects with questionable chances of success.
Are You an Optimist?
A person’s level of optimism may determine whether they are motivated to overcome challenges or naively pursue dreams that will never come true. While moderate optimism can push you to be your best, extreme levels might push you over the edge and tempt you into taking dangerous risks.
Knowing where you fall on the spectrum of optimism is therefore a good idea. Scientists have developed different questionnaires for measuring optimism, with a key instrument being the so-called Life Orientation Test. Answering just 10 simple questions can give you an idea of just how rosy your rose-tinted glasses might be.
And if you don’t like the result, there’s no need to worry. Optimism can be learned and practised—for example, through positive self-talk and exercises that challenge pessimistic thoughts. Telling yourself that you are strong and capable may be the first step to reaching a new goal this year.
