The tyranny of the positive attitude in America: Observation and speculation

Abstract

According to both popular and professional indicators, the push for the positive attitude in America is on the rise. After considering the popular culture zeitgeist, I compare and contrast two recent professional psychology movements-those of positive psychology and postmodern therapy-both of which rest on a foundation of optimism and positive thinking despite their opposing views about a proper philosophy of science. I then present cross-cultural empirical research that calls into question the typical (North American) assumption that a positive attitude is necessary for (a sense of) well-being. I also consider findings in health psychology, clinical/counseling psychology, and organizational behavioral science, findings which call into question the assumption that accentuating the positive (and eliminating the negative) is necessarily beneficial in terms of physical and mental health. The clinical/therapeutic implications of this analysis are addressed, as I put forth my conjecture about the existence of what I call the "tyranny of the positive attitude" in the form of a question: If there indeed now exists unprecedented pressure to accentuate the positive, could it then be that the pressure itself to be happy and optimistic contributes to at least some forms of unhappiness?

The emerging positive agenda in organizations: greater than a trickle, but not yet a deluge

“…For example, in arguing against what he calls the ''separation thesis'' of emotions, Fineman (2006: 275) stated that ''there is a convincing case that [the study of] positiveness closes important doors, excluding opportunities that could well serve its own aims.'' Apparently, this appears to be a central theme for a number of scholars (cf., Held, 2002;Ryff, 2003;Tennen & Affleck, 2003). However, and practically speaking, when one considers the reported negative-to-positive discrepancies, it is extremely difficult to see how an increased interest in studying the positive approach can close any more doors than have already been closed!…”

La cicatriz (in)visible. La representación del cuerpo en blogs de mujeres con cáncer de mama

“…En este marco aparece con fuerza la lógica según la cual las personas deben promover los pensamientos positivos y evitar los negativos para favorecer su curación (Held, 2002;Sumalla et al, 2013). Esta ideología, especialmente presente en los blogs 1, 2, 3 y 5, plantea que la voluntad de la paciente es clave en el proceso de curación.…”

“…(…) porque ahora tengo fe en mí"; "somos en un cien por cien responsables de todas nuestras experiencias"; y "Repítete diez veces cada hora 'Estoy sana' y olvídate de que tienes cáncer". Al sobredimensionar la capacidad individual para controlar el propio cuerpo, este discurso constituye un falso empoderamiento: tras la apariencia de dar margen al individuo, lo hace responsable hasta límites que no están a su alcance (Held, 2002;Pitts, 2004;Coll-Planas, 2014).…”

“…En tercer lugar, esta lógica entraña la culpabilización de la persona sin una trayectoria de éxito, ya que implícitamente es acusada de no haber sabido controlar su cuerpo y sus emociones (Sontag, 1990;Held, 2002;Pitts, 2004;Bell, 2010;Coll-Planas, 2014).…”

Assessing the validity of self-reported stress-related growth.

“…Wortman (2004) recently commented that propagating the notion that most people experience growth, without further evidence for this claim, can have adverse effects on trauma survivors. As an example, Held (2002) noted that some of her clients apologize for not being able to smile in the face of adversity.…”