The Stigma of Being Pessimistically Biased

Optimism and social support: The providers’ perspective

“…In particular, pessimistic behavior patterns were seen as less adequate and less effective than optimistic and realistic behavior patterns, and the personality of pessimists was viewed more negatively than that of optimists and realists. These results are consistent with previous findings (Carver et al, 1994;Helweg-Larsen et al, 2002;Silver et al, 1990), and support our assumption that pessimists, with their negative cognitive-affective behavior patterns, are more likely to elicit negative social responses than optimists and realists. However, no significant differences between pessimists, optimists, and realists were found for interpersonal attraction and the intention to provide social support.…”

“…More specifically, we assume that the social impact of optimism, realism, and pessimism is not only founded in certain expectations, but relies on a pattern of expressed thoughts and intentions, displayed feelings, and actions that become visible and relevant in social interactions. Findings from studies in which optimistic outlook and positive mood were found to be perceived as co-occurring phenomena support this view (Carver et al, 1994;Helweg-Larsen et al, 2002).…”

“…Interpersonal attraction was assessed by seven items that were adapted from previous studies (e.g., Coyne, 1976;Helweg-Larsen et al, 2002;Montoya & Horton, 2004;Winer, Bonner, Blaney, & Murray, 1981), whereby two items assessed affective attraction (e.g., ''How much do you like the person?'') and five items assessed behavioral attraction (e.g., ''I would like to go to a campus party with the person'').…”

“…First, previous studies predominantly focused on the relationship between recipients' optimism and providers' social acceptance, willingness for future interaction, or social rejection (e.g., Carver et al, 1994;Helweg-Larsen et al, 2002;Silver et al, 1990). The present studies additionally examined the willingness to offer social support from the providers' perceptive.…”

“…Studies based on vignettes showed that targets with a negative outlook and pessimistically biased perceptions were less socially accepted than those with a positive outlook and optimistically biased perceptions (Carver, Kus, & Scheier, 1994;Helweg-Larsen, Sadeghian, & Webb, 2002).…”