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Outcomes of Optimism
Richi Simon
Assistant Professor
Department of Social Work
The Bhopal School of Social Sciences, Bhopal
"If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place"
One of the most apt sayings by Laozi, positive thinking sets all things into right place. Our outlook
towards the different spheres of life affects them. Positive thinking doesn't means to ignore the negative
consequences but to think of the brighter side in such times. Optimism is a mental and emotional attitude
that focuses on the bright side of life and expects positive results. Positive thinking is a choice. Not
everybody accepts that optimism affects life. But many research works have been done in this direction.
In his book, ‘Learned Optimism: How to change your mind and your Life', Martin E.P. Seligman the
way we think, especially about our health, changes our health, and that a person who thinks more
optimistic thoughts is healthier inwardly. He states that, due to the "health habits" (thinking positively
and acting accordingly to their positive thoughts), optimists are less prone to mental ailments such as
anxiety and depression. Seligman's book shows the research available in 1991 on optimism's positive
effects.
Scheier and Carver supported Seilgman's work through their article "On the Power of Positive Thinking:
The Benefits of Being Optimistic." They explained that because optimists are more likely to participate
in "active coping techniques," they are less prone to failure. They referenced a study where research
showed that confronted by a bad situation, optimists do not avoid the situation (a characteristic of
pessimists); instead, they take direct direction, are "planned with dealing adversity," and are more
focused in their "coping efforts".

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Staw et al. showed that positive emotions on job led to favorable outcomes on the job. Research has
found that the pessimists are more likely to lower their effort, withdraw from task oriented behaviors
upon facing unfavorable events than those who show optimistic interpretation of
Behavior.
According to the data collected by Gallup Inc., there are three traits closely linked to academic success-
student hope, engagement and well being. Hope accounts for about 13 percent of the variance in
student's academic success.
Another study by Synder et al., ‘Hope and Academic Success in College' demonstrated that students
with high hopes outperformed those with less hope.
Thus, it can be concluded that positive thinking motivates the person to face the adverse situations with
hope and positivity. Benefits of positive thinking include:
Increased life span
Better job and academic performance
Better psychological and physical well-being
Better coping skills during hardships and times of stress
Better decision making in unfavorable circumstances.
Think Positive, Be Positive!

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References
• Scheier, Michael F.; Carver, S.Charles.(1993, Feb). On the power of positive thinking: The
benefits of being optimistic. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 2(1), 26-30.
• Seligman, Martin E.P. (1992). Learned Optimism: How to change your mind and your Life.
Newyork: Vintage books.
• Sydner et.al. (2002). Hope and Academic Success in College, Journal of Educational
Psychology, 94(4), 820-826.
• Positive thinking: Stop negative self-talk to reduce stress. (n.d.). Retrieved June 15, 2014, from
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/stress-management/in-depth/positive-thinking/art-
20043950
• Heitin, L. (2012). Polling Group: Student Success linked to Positive Outlook , Retrieved June
15,2014, from
http://www.edweek.org/tm/articles/2011/08/23/gallup_students.html?tkn=ZWMF6tOPpu57RjD
GAQt6w0n0Ats4x8efRVDD&cmp=clp-edweek