Content area
Full Text
Abstract
Optimism is a mental attitude that interprets situations and events as being the best (optimized). In modern day life optimism has become a desirable characteristic, and an important component of human functioning. Optimism produces positive moods and acts as a motivator. If a positive mood can be encouraged over a period of time then access to positive emotions is inevitable and experiencing positive illusion can become a natural occurrence. The World Health Organization defines mental health as a state of well being in which the individual realizes his/her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and is able to make a contribution to his/her community. Seligman has coined the term 'Positive Psychology' to promote a holistic approach to mental wellness. This paper highlights the impact of positive emotions, positive thinking and self-confidence in nurturing psychological well being which is necessary for good mental health of the individual.
Key Words: Mental Health, Optimism, Positive Emotion, Positive Psychology, Positive Wellbeing, Subjective Wellbeing.
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier
Colin Powel
INTRODUCTION
The word optimism is originally derived from the Latin word 'optimum', meaning 'the best'. Being optimistic, in the typical sense of the word, means that one expects the best possible outcome from any given situation. Psychologists treat optimism as a cognitive characteristic in terms of generalized positive outcome expectancy and a positive causal attribution. Optimists make external attribution (it is not their fault), unstable attribution (it is only temporary set back), and specific attribution (the failure is only in this specific instance). Optimism is a mental attitude that interprets situations and events as being the best (optimized) i.e. the present moment is in an optimum state. It is true that some people enjoy life and there are others who prefer to remain in a depressive and apprehensive state. Psychologists believe that optimism is a good defence against unhappiness. Specifically positive psychologists view that optimism can be learned, that we can condition ourselves to see a half-empty glass as half-full. In modern day life optimism has become a desirable characteristic, and an important component of human functioning (Peterson, 2006). A widely recognized definition of optimism is "a mood or attitude associated with an expectation about the social or material...