OptimistPessimistHuman BehaviorBecoming Aware Text

Pessimist Envision the future as unfavorable

Tend to believe one negative incident will last a long time and affect lives forever

Optimism Expect positive

outcomes

Tend to feel that bad things won’t last long

Cope with crisis/stress better

Have more disease-fighting T cells

Live longer

Optimism Predictor of achievement and resilience

Focus on what they can do, instead of how bad they feel

Keep sense of humor, plan for future

Expect to be successful in all they do, work harder for goals

Increased well-being, more successful, happier and healthier life

Optimist/Pessimist Scale

1. In the uncertain times, I usually expect the best.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

2. It’s easy for me to relax.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

3. If something can go wrong for me, it

will.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

4. I’m always optimistic about my

future.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

5. I enjoy my friends a lot.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

6. It’s important for me to keep busy.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

7. I hardly ever expect things to go my way.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

8. I don’t get upset too easily.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

9. I rarely count on good things happening

to me.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)

10. Overall, I expect more good things to happen to me than

bad.

0 (strongly disagree)--------------------4 (strongly agree)