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pessimism

·July 21, 2025·5 min read

Optimists’ Brains “Think Alike” When Imagining the Future

Optimists’ brains show strikingly similar patterns when imagining the future, while pessimists’ brains display more individual variability, a new study reveals. Using fMRI, researchers found that optimists process positive and negative scenarios in distinct, shared ways, which may explain their greater social connectedness.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·February 22, 2025·5 min read

Optimism and Pessimism Shape Resilience and Risk

Researchers examined how optimism and pessimism influenced well-being and behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analyzing data from a large-scale study of older adults, they found that optimism was linked to lower stress and greater resilience, while lower pessimism was associated with safer health behaviors.

This shows balls painted with different facial expressions

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 20, 2022·5 min read

Stop Dissing Pessimism, It’s Part of Being Human

Pessimism is a fundamental part of the human experience. Researchers say refusing to subscribe entirely to the social drive for the pursuit of happiness and embracing your pessimistic side may be the most reasonable attitude.

This shows two fingers, one has a smiley face drawn on it, the other has a frowning face

Featured Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·July 28, 2020·4 min read

Pessimistic Outlook on Life Linked to Life Expectancy

Pessimistic people are more likely to die earlier from cardiovascular disease and other causes, but not from cancer than those who have a more optimistic outlook on life. However, optimists did not have a greater than average life expectancy.

Featured Neuroscience Psychology

·August 9, 2018·5 min read

Getting to the Roots of Pessimism

Researchers shed light on the role the caudate nucleus plays in pessimism. The study reports stimulating this area of the brain generates a negative outlook that clouds decision making.