IndexIntroductionTheoretical conceptions of optimismLearned optimismDispositional optimismHopeConclusionReferencesIntroductionOptimism derives from the Latin word optimal, which means "best" and is considered a mental state in which individuals look at the most positive aspects and favorable situations and anticipate them. Conversano et al (2010) suggest that it includes the propensity to hope and believe that things will work out. In contrast to optimism is pessimism, which is the tendency to anticipate negative or undesirable outcomes. One phase widely used to explain optimists and pessimists is how they see the glass as half full. A pessimist would consider the glass half empty and an optimist would consider it half full. Optimism and pessimism are both traits that can be found in anyone and are not subject to an individual, however they can be influenced by factors such as individuals' disposition and traits; they are a continuum. The topic of optimism has brought out many theoretical concepts to explain why some exhibit aspects of it such as learned optimism, dispositional optimism, and hope. This essay on optimism will examine these three theoretical conceptions to explore individual differences within optimism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Theoretical Conceptions of Optimism Learned Optimism Seligman developed the concept of learned optimism through the attributional reformulation of the learned helplessness model (Seligman et al, 1978). According to Seligman, learned helplessness occurs when people learn to be helpless when they find themselves in overwhelming situations and feel that nothing they can do will make a difference. The way people attribute what happens in their lives can be caused by internal or external factors that contribute to whether or not they experience this helplessness. He proposes three attributes for the occurrence of learned helplessness that involve internal (self), stable (will last forever), and global (affects everything) factors in explaining their failures. How people handle their successes and failures affects their lives. Seligman uses aspects of Ellis' model to explain how optimism can be achieved through the ABC model. A is an adversity that involves the formation of beliefs about the situation/adversity that is experienced. B is the belief and how individuals interpret adversity and finally C is the consequences that beliefs have on the individual and the result of how the individual may feel, how they may behave or respond. Individuals' explanatory style is how they get from A to B, which influences people's optimistic thinking. Rotters' (1966) locus of control phenomenon supports the theory of learned helplessness. People with an internal locus of control show control over what happened, and those with an external locus of control explain situations that occur outside of self-influences and show no control over them (Macsinga & Nemeti, 2012). Although learned optimism can explain individuals' development of optimistic thinking, Seligman suggests that it may be easier to become pessimistic than optimistic (Seligman, 1998). But while it may not be as easy to be optimistic than helpless, it is possible and can be done. Dispositional OptimismSometimes other factors such as disposition can influence individuals to become optimistic. Michael Scheier and Charles Carver (1992) proposed dispositional optimism. This is the tendency to expect favorable results.This explanation is drawn from the idea that personality/traits and genetics influence an individual's susceptibility to optimism. Research by Scheier and Carver, 1985, shows that the genetic heritability of dispositional optimism is approximately 33% across the population and this therefore shows support for a genetic prevalence in optimism, although the remainder can be attributed to optimism .environment and situations (Segerstrom et al 1998). However, dispositional optimism does not explain other influences that lead to optimism, such as the environment. Segerstrom et al 1998 suggest that situational optimism also influences people in their optimistic thinking and that they have better mental health than the dispositional optimist. This may be because situational optimists are more specific in their positive views and expect good things to happen in specific areas. However, this is a relatively new area of ​​research within optimism that requires greater review. Hope Furthermore, hope is another theoretical conception of optimism and was developed by Synder 1994. Hope is an individual's expectation that goals will be achieved. Synder points out that people make plans or paths to achieve the goals they set for themselves through three components which are agency, path and goal. First, the goal is what individuals want to happen, including mental goals; the second aspect is agency which refers to how much motivation the individual has to enable him to achieve the goal; finally the path indicates the way in which the individual will get there and reach the goal. Synder 2002 also showed explanations of people with little hope and people with a lot of hope essentially producing different outcomes. Individuals with low hope often present only one goal which is usually ambiguous while individuals with high hope set multiple goals (about 6 according to Synder). This allows people with high hopes not to feel down if a goal is not achieved since they have others to achieve and are therefore better at finding different paths. This is supported by many researchers such as McDermott and Snyder, 1999; Snyder et al., 2002 who found that individuals with high hopes performed better academically and athletically. Likewise, mental health, with high-hope individuals showing high self-esteem and low-hope individuals showing depression (e.g. Snyder, 2000; 2002). However, high hope can result in false hope syndrome which can affect how people deal with different situations. Conclusion Research in the field of optimism shows that individual differences influence optimistic thinking. Dispositional optimism suggests that optimism has genetic influences, but situational optimism suggests that assigning positive thinking based on the situation leads to better mental health. Additionally, research has shown that low and high hope influence optimistic thinking. This therefore provides a broad explanation for optimism, although some aspects need more revision due to limited evidence. Overall, individual differences explain optimistic thinking and this has been proven by positive psychology, however, where optimism comes from is still unclear. Furthermore, Peterson 2000 suggests that optimism should not be considered just as a cognitive characteristic but rather as how we should live and that other influences such as motivation and emotion can influence, and should be considered together. BibliographyConversano, C., Rotondo, A., Lensi, E., Della Vista, O., Arpone, F., & Reda, MA (2010). Optimism and the.