Optimism Critical Thinking
There are two theories regarding to the formulation of optimism. The first one being learned optimism which was conceptualized by Martin Seligman, and the second is the perspective of optimism by Michael Scheier and Charles Carver. Under the learned optimism theory, the optimist responds to the inquiry, “Why did that bad thing happened to me?” In scientific terms, the optimist makes outer, variable, and particular attributions for fiasco-like events as opposed to internal, steady, and global attributions of the pessimist. In contrast, under the new definition of optimism it is asserted that one believes that good as opposed to bad things will occur. Scheier and Carver assert the following: “our own theoretical approach emphasizes a person’s
…show more content…
expectancies of good or bad outcomes. It is our position that outcome expectancies per se are the best predictors of behavior rather than the bases from which those expectancies were derived.” (Snyder, Lopez, & Pedrotti, 2008). In brief, learned optimism is more of contemplating why such a thing occurred whereas optimism as defined by Scheier and Carver is pondering or expecting the good out of something.
Both “versions”, I guess you can say, are able to be measured. Learned optimism is measured by an instrument called the Attributional Stye Questionnaire. The ASQ presents positive or negative life circumstances, and respondents are inquired to point out what they believe to be the casual justification of those events on the aspects of internal/external, steady/temporary, and global/particular. In contrast, optimism is measured by the Life Orientation Test (LOT). However, censures emerged regarding its overlap with neuroticism. Thus, a revised version of LOT was developed/validated, which is presently known as the LOT-Revised (LOT-R). In conclusion, there are two theories in regards to the construct of optimism. One being learned optimism which was analyzed by Martin Seligman, and the second one is the outlook of optimism developed by Michael Schemer and Charles Carver. Learned optimism asks and responds to the inquiry of why such event occurred where as optimism is expecting the good as opposed to the bad occurring. Learned optimism is measured by the ASQ, and optimism is measured by
LOT-R.
expectancies of good or bad outcomes. It is our position that outcome expectancies per se are the best predictors of behavior rather than the bases from which those expectancies were derived.” (Snyder, Lopez, & Pedrotti, 2008). In brief, learned optimism is more of contemplating why such a thing occurred whereas optimism as defined by Scheier and Carver is pondering or expecting the good out of something.
Both “versions”, I guess you can say, are able to be measured. Learned optimism is measured by an instrument called the Attributional Stye Questionnaire. The ASQ presents positive or negative life circumstances, and respondents are inquired to point out what they believe to be the casual justification of those events on the aspects of internal/external, steady/temporary, and global/particular. In contrast, optimism is measured by the Life Orientation Test (LOT). However, censures emerged regarding its overlap with neuroticism. Thus, a revised version of LOT was developed/validated, which is presently known as the LOT-Revised (LOT-R). In conclusion, there are two theories in regards to the construct of optimism. One being learned optimism which was analyzed by Martin Seligman, and the second one is the outlook of optimism developed by Michael Schemer and Charles Carver. Learned optimism asks and responds to the inquiry of why such event occurred where as optimism is expecting the good as opposed to the bad occurring. Learned optimism is measured by the ASQ, and optimism is measured by
LOT-R.