# Optimism

By [Joojik](https://paragraph.com/@joojik) · 2022-09-04

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**Optimism** is an [attitude](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attitude_\(psychology\)) reflecting a belief or hope that the outcome of some specific endeavor, or outcomes in general, will be positive, favorable, and desirable. A common [idiom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom) used to illustrate optimism versus [pessimism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pessimism) is [a glass filled with water to the halfway point](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is_the_glass_half_empty_or_half_full%3F): an optimist is said to see the glass as half full, while a pessimist sees the glass as half empty.

The term derives from the Latin _optimum_, meaning "best". Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, is defined as expecting the best possible outcome from any given situation.[\[1\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-1) This is usually referred to in [psychology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychology) as dispositional optimism. It thus reflects a belief that future conditions will work out for the best.[\[2\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-2) For this reason, it is seen as a trait that fosters resilience in the face of [stress](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychological_stress).[\[3\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-3)

Theories of optimism include dispositional models and models of [explanatory style](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Explanatory_style). Methods to measure optimism have been developed within both of these theoretical approaches, such as various forms of the Life Orientation Test for the original dispositional definition of optimism and the Attributional Style Questionnaire designed to test optimism in terms of explanatory style.

Variation in optimism and pessimism is somewhat [heritable](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heritability)[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-Bates2015-4) and reflects [biological trait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biological_trait) systems to some degree.[\[5\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-Sharot2011-5) It is also influenced by [environmental factors](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_factors), including family environment,[\[4\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-Bates2015-4) with some suggesting it can be learned.[\[6\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-Vaughan_2000-6) Optimism may also be linked to [health](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health).[\[7\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimism#cite_note-7)

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*Originally published on [Joojik](https://paragraph.com/@joojik/optimism)*