To: K-list
Recieved: 2000/06/23 12:01
Subject: Re: [K-list] Learned Optimism.
From: Ckress
On 2000/06/23 12:01, Ckress posted thus to the K-list:
In a message dated 06/23/2000 10:24:56 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
serpentATnospamdomin8rex.com writes:
<< Learned Optimism More Useful Than Truth
USA - Philadelphia, Penn. - According to a recent study with students by
Martin Seligman, director of clinical training at the University of
Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, high scores for optimism are predictive of
excellence in everything from sports to sales. Analyzing campaign speeches
for the prevalence of optimism, Seligman predicted the winners of the 1988
presidential and Senate elections more accurately than veteran political
forecasters. "I used to be an agent of both truth and happiness," says
Seligman. "That's still a central premise of most therapists. But research
in
our lab and others is increasingly challenging that view. Optimists have a
set of self-serving illusions that enable them to maintain good cheer and
health in a universe essentially indifferent to their welfare. Optimists
are
more resistant to infectious illness and are better at fending off the
chronic diseases of middle age." According to Seligman, depressed people
would do well to adopt the same self-serving illusions that optimistic
people
hold. "We can choose how we think. Styles of thinking can become habits. We
can control our thoughts as we can our muscles," says Seligman. Studies
show, if you think about problems in a negative frame of mind, you come up
with fewer solutions. And you're likely to spiral into deeper depression. By
boosting mood and self-esteem, people with pessimistic tendencies can break
that cycle and free themselves to think more creatively. This is consistent
with other studies which show that, while pessimists may be more realistic,
optimists live longer and happier lives. Seligman is author of a new book
entitled "Learned Optimism.">>
Extreme pessimism is self-destructive. Yet as the piece above mentions,
previous psychological studies have shown that people who are prone to
depression tend to be more acutely perceptive of what's going on around them
than those who are perpetually upbeat. Optimism and truth-seeking are both
"useful." Some of the world's greatest artists, musicians, writers, poets
and philosophers drew heavily on their perceptive and often emotionally
volatile truth-seeking natures to produce their most brilliant work. I've
never been an optimist, but I have confidence and faith in the value of being
on a truth-seeking path. It has given me a very internally rich and
meaningful (to me, at least) life.
Optimists tend to celebrate life while truth seekers (who aren't necessarily
pessimists, but are aware of the tragic and fierce side of life) are more
intent on exploring life's fertile depths. Neither is ultimately a better
modus operandi, just different internal orientations. I seriously question
how much optimism -- or truth-seeking perceptiveness -- can be taught. I
think we each have an inherent inclination toward one or the other. This is
reflected in astrology, where certain signs are naturally more introspective
and serious-minded while others are more buoyant, extroverted, and
fun-loving. And there can be combinations of both in the personality; it
isn't necessarily a totally black or white thing.
El
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