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Key points
- Early recollections as a projective technique can clarify an individuals outlook on life.
- Dimensions of a person's optimism and pessimism are possible to evaluate through early recollections.
- People with an optimistic outlook on life are sound models for positive functioning.
Early recollections as a projective technique help bring an awareness of an individual's expectation of favorable or unfavorable events in life. An optimistic outlook and a relative absence of pessimism predicts positive physical health and an enhanced quality of life (Scheier, Swanson, Barlow, Greenhouse, Wrosch, & Tindle, 2020).
In an early recollection example, Candy, a retired nurse in her late 60's, related the following memory that clearly conveys optimistic qualities. "My mother nursing my baby sister and my dog nursing her baby puppies together." In response to a question about additional details in the remembrance, Candy said, "How beautiful my mother was. She was smiling and happy." Candy identified the most important part of the memory: "For me, it's a picture—the image—I get to see everything at once." Her feelings at that point are, "Happy."
From a subjective empathy stance, most people are able to identify with Candy's blissful and caring experiences in her early recollection. The nurturing images of her mother nursing her baby sister and her dog nursing the puppies come readily to mind. In this regard, it is possible to momentarily experience what it is like to be Candy in the context of her life.
Although it is not possible to change an early memory, individuals may develop ways to foster more optimistic responses and reduce pessimistic reactions. Persons with an optimistic outlook on life offer a resource for learning how to make progress in this direction. For Candy, she finds little things throughout the day that evoke uplifting feelings. In particular, swimming, baking, going for long walks, and spending time with friends and family provide a sense of well-being. She also seeks out challenging tasks, such as advancing her credentials in the medical field and exploring different cultures and advances in science. Candy's focus on learning and growth allows less room for negative thoughts and feelings.
Candy's perception of life is consistent with current research that optimism and pessimism are independent, but related, dimensions (Scheier, et al, 2020). The relative absence of pessimism is more strongly related to physical health and quality of life than optimism. In the case of Candy, as she engages in optimistic activities, she largely disallows the presence of pessimism. At the same time, Candy, as we all do, has had to cope with numerous challenges and adversities in her life. However, she attempts to do so in a resilient and flexible way that is devoted to "positivity."
References
Scheier, M. F., Swanson, J. D., Barlow, M. A., Greenhouse, J. B., Wrosch, C., & Tindale, H. A. (2020). Optimism versus pessimism as predictors of physical health: A comprehensive reanalysis of dispositional optimism research. American Psychologist, 76, 529-548.
