![]() The seeds of explanatory style germinate during the first few years of life. As with other kinds of development, forming an explanatory style is an individual process with its own time table and pace. About 75% of the traits associated with optimism versus pessimism are determined by where we grow up, our families, and our experiences. Humans do have a genetic disposition to either pessimism or optimism, but it is not necessarily a permanent trait. You are probably wondering where your explanatory style came from. It is the prism through which we experience life, and leads us to feel hopeless (lacking control and a belief in change) or hopeful (able to solve problems and plan alternatives). The way we look at and respond to events is called our “explanatory style.” An explanatory style can be thought of as the stories people use to explain the cause of any event-good or bad. In contrast, helpless people can interpret the same events in ways that lead them to pessimistic behaviors. Resilient people interpret events in ways that lead them to optimistic behaviors. What Seligman found is that people who are hopeful don’t become helpless in the face of adversity. The origins of learned optimism can be traced back to the work of Martin Seligman in the 1960s and 70s. And once learned, optimism makes a permanent, positive difference in a person’s life. This all sounds great, but what if you are not optimistically inclined? The good news is that even if you weren’t born an optimist, optimism can be taught and learned. In addition, optimistic adults have more rewarding and successful careers. Optimists tend to be healthier-both physically and emotionally, they live longer, and are more successful in school and sports. We will have to stay indoors for two weeks.”įor about 25 years, researchers have been studying the benefits of optimism for children and adults. ![]() Another teacher might hear the same news and think, “Oh no. When an optimistic teacher learns that the playground will be closed for two weeks for repairs, he plans for other ways to take the children outdoors to play and stretch their bodies. Optimists focus on the positive, channeling their energy to focus on what they can control in their lives, while pessimists brace for the worst. ![]() Optimists make lemonade when life hands them lemons. ![]()
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