pessimism

n. Pessimism has been described as generalized negative outcome expectancies as well as a negative outlook on life. Evidence exists for unidimensional, bidimensional, and possibly multidimensional conceptualizations of pessimism (with optimism), and it is unclear whether optimism and pessimism are on a continuum or partially independent of each other. Research has linked pessimism to negative physiological and psychological outcomes such as depressive symptoms and increased mortality, but several studies have failed to replicate those results. Additionally, pessimism may confer certain benefits. “Defensive pessimists” use pessimism to manage their mood and prepare for important events by setting low expectations and reflecting extensively on possible negative outcomes, and that strategy improves their performance. Studies have also suggested that compared with European Americans, Asian Americans have higher levels of pessimism, though pessimism may serve an adaptive function in Asian Americans by helping them to prepare for the worst. – RC, ECC