uch has been made about the power of positive thinking, despite the research showing not only are optimists deluding themselves, but they might live shorter lives compared to pessimists. American culture, in particular, seems to venerate optimism, even though it can be unrealistic. (Case in point: Tornado survivors feel hopeful that they won’t be hit again.) People even tend to think that seeing sunshine in the future can make it so. But a recent study adds to the case that this simply isn’t so.
Elizabeth Tenney, of the University of Utah investigated the power of optimistic mindsets through three experiments, writes Alex Fradera for BPS Research Digest. Read the rest of the story in the Smithsonian Magazine.