To further understand defensive pessimism and self-handicapping, it is relevant to compare and contrast the two cognitive strategies’ motivational forces.
It is suggested that achievement motives such as need for achievement (desire to approach success) and fear of failure (desire to avoid failure) are viewed crucial because they influence the kind of self-regulatory tools people utilize in achievement settings (Elliot, 1999; Elliot & McGregor, 1999), most likely including cognitive strategies such as defensive pessimism and self-handicapping. Hence, achievement motives play a factor for people’s preference of cognitive strategies. A person who value recognition, success, and power might use a different cognitive strategy applicable in attaining success. Meanwhile, a person who wants to avoid failure and just want to protect his/her self-esteem from the negative outcomes of failure may choose a different cognitive strategy.
The concept of domain-general approach and avoidance temperaments is just recently introduced by Elliot and Thrash (2002). These two temperaments represent broad neurobiological sensitivities to positive and negative stimuli. Moreover, they are posited to be similar with Gray’s BAS and BIS. Thus, BAS and BIS are regarded as core components of the two temperaments (Elliot & Thrash, 2002). In addition, it is suggested that they are direct importation of RST.
Similar with achievement motives, general temperaments are not regarded to have a direct effect on achievement-relevant outcomes. On the other hand, approach and avoidance temperaments are viewed as important because they influence people toward certain kinds of self-regulation in achievement settings (Elliot, 1999; Elliot & Thrash, 2001), most likely ...
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...g from an (ethnic background) family, if you get a good mark, they’ll expect you to do the same thing.” In the Philippine context, it is possible that this applies to Filipino children as well. Filipino children once they get really good grades, parents will tend to expect the same next time. It is undeniable that Filipino children experience this pressure on their part as well that will lead them to use a positive or negative approach in fulfilling these expectations.
According to other participants who are high on defensive pessimism, thinking more negatively is a good motivation for them to take necessary actions. Also, one participant added: “If you’re negative you stress more, and a bit of stress is good.” Hence, it is deemed that this kind of pessimism encourages the individual to move forward. It can be used as a tool to fulfil their performance needs.
Skinner, Ellen A. Perceived Control, Motivation, & Coping. Thousands Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc. 1995.
Hazan, C., & Shaver, P. (1987). Journal of personality and social psychology and. Retrieved from http://internal.psychology.illinois.edu/~broberts/Hazan & Shaver, 1987.pdf
It illustrates that these two “limit” my self-actualization and achievement percentages. I do not find myself to be overly defensive or aggressive when dealing with individuals.
Most recent theories on motivation conclude that people will start certain behaviors under the belief that this behavior will accomplish desired goals or outcomes. With Lewin (1936) and Tolman (1932) leading the charge, the goal-oriented behavior led researchers to want to understand more on the psychological value people attribute to goals, people’s expectations on reaching these goals, and the structures which keep people striving to achieve these goals. After some recent findings on goal-oriented behavior, researchers were able to differentiate different types of goals, whereas before researchers assumed that goals that were valued the same, with the same expectations of achievement, would need the same amount
Haidt believes that we can gain positive benefits from adversity, but only under the right circumstances. First, the person must successfully make sense of the situation. Meaning they must cope with the situation well. The two appropriate coping styles are action and rehearsal. People who are naturally optimist are more likely to use these to coping style and benefit from adversity. These people expect that their work will pay off, so they continue to work even when it becomes difficult. Pessimistic people are more likely to use the avoidance coping style which makes them less likely to deal with their adversity. They end up managing their pain instead of dealing with it. The key is to draw constructive lessons for your adversity. Second, people who express their
Sanson, A., Hemphill, S., & Smart, D. (2004). Connections between temperament and social development: A review. Social Development,13(1), 142-170.
Carl Rogers, one of the most influential psychologists in the 20th century, stated that [self-worth can be viewed as a gauge from high to low. There are times in one’s life where they are capable of handling the ba...
Heavy self-criticism, envy and a pessimistic attitude follow (Kirsh, 2005). Three states of self-esteem are identified: Strong self-esteem is when they have a positive self-image and are secure enough to make decisions and remain unaffected by any adverse scenario that would cause detrimental effects. Vulnerable self-esteem is when there is a positive self-image yet their ability to maintain it is not reliable. People with a vulnerable self-esteem avoid making decisions, blame others when situations were to turn sour to protect their own reputation. People who do not regard themselves as admirable or valuable, defeated and immerse in self-pity, define shattered self-esteem. Shattered self-esteem is undoubtedly related to low self-esteem
“Learned helplessness is a phenomenon containing three components: contingency, cognition, and behavior. Contingency addresses the uncontrollability of the situation. Cognition refers to the attributions that people make regarding their situation or surroundings of which they are a part. Behavior allows individuals to decide whether they will give up or proceed with the obstacle set before them” (Peterson, Maier, & Seligman, 1993; Firmin, Hwang, Copella, & Clark, 2004). When a student thinks about college he must take either the ACT or the SAT test to be admitted into the college. Students have a lot of decisions to make that can be stressful. Failure is an aspect that students fear and can determine whether they will succeed in life.
Matthews, G., Deary, I. J., & Whiteman, M. C. (2009). Personality traits. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Friedman, H. S., & Schustack, M. W. (2012). Personality: Classic theories and modern research (5th ed). Boston , MA, USA: Pearson
According to a recent psychological study, people who are more capable of dealing with goal conflicts bear a greater sense of self-discipline, and are happier than those without. These self-disciplined subjects spent lesser time over disputing
Mental attitude refers to the complex mental state of a person which includes beliefs, emotions, values, and attitudes on which one’s acts certainly. Even before until now, self-help books and popular beliefs have already speculated the power of positive mental attitude in the lives of a person. Similarly, a number of theories on positive psychology may support this claim. On the basis of Seligman’s (1998) theory, pessimists tend to explain bad events that happened in their life as internal, stable, and global throughout their lives. Such people tend to develop learned helplessness and are prone to depression. Personal outlook in life, therefore, affects students’ performance. In school, study shows that pessimistic student performs less than their level of “talent” whereas optimistic student performs high (Seligman,
It is estimated that a person has 70,000 thoughts per day i.e. you have 70,000 chances to build yourself up or tear yourself down. If you are a pessimist, you doubt your abilities and second-guess your decisions, in such case, definitely, you will harm your performance and most likely you will also be risking your physical and psychological health.
These phycologists have wondered if there are more optimist or pessimists in the world. They have made an attempt to find out what approach is greater or better. There are some advantages to optimism because it makes people feel better about life, however, there are also some advantages to pessimism in that looking at the unfortunate side of things can help some pessimists cope better with the world. Both optimism and pessimism have important roles to play the lives of everybody. Being optimist permits people to go after their goals in a positive way, to dream bigger and better dreams, which they can strive to work towards. Optimist also tend to respond better to positive feedback, and a part of being an optimist may be producing this feedback for themselves, example, thinking positive thoughts. While on the other hand, being pessimistic may help people to better acknowledge negative feedback and reduce their natural anxiety to perform better. Once again, part of the reason why pessimist generates negative thoughts is that it helps them perform a lot better. People tend to utilize both optimism and pessimism in order for them gain out of their advantages. People who are mainly concerned with growth or advancement often manifest an optimistic view, whereas those who are concerned with safety and security, or avoiding negative outcomes, focus more on pessimism in order to improve their