Post 5: Hope vs. Optimsm

"If, therefore, you are skipping along

the surface of life,

opt for optimism.

When, however, you are swimming 

through the depths,

  fill your heart with         hope"

Ever had an experience where a friend of mine is already known as an optimistic who usually think very positively when sometimes it's not. He always see things will change to better if you think positively. I remember him so i tried to differentiate optimism and hope.

As i was reading an article gain hope about "A Prospective Study of Hope, Optimism, and Health" from the people of University of New Hampshire, i have noticed that the writers contrast the hope and optimism, so i wondered how does it work? I've tried to research more regardless of the two that can satisfy my curiosity.

 Psychologists says that hope has tended to be seen as an emotion that motivates all people to pursue their specific goals. While Optimism expect the best but doesn't have an assurance about how you are going to arrive at this to improve the future. Generally, Optimism is known as a belief of good outcomes and expects things will be the best. While hope as an emotional feeling motivates action and affects thoughts and behavior; has more of element of desire and believe what is possible.

   According to y (Scheier & Carver), Hope is  hard to control and is nearly universal in nature. Where      optimism is grounded in evidence, reasons, and a belief in personal efficacy.

  These are few examples of the contrast of Hope and Optimism:

• Optimism says things will get better; Hope stays even if they get worse.

• Optimism claims that the future is bright; hope keeps the future open.

• Optimism sees through rose-colored glasses; hope looks through a periscope

 

Optimistic people are ones who usually expects a favorable outcome.

In summary, optimism is a cognitive construct consisting of a generalized belief in positive
outcomes based on rational estimates of a person's likelihood of success and a belief in personal
efficacy.  Hope, in our view, is an emotion rooted in early trust experiences and influenced by
external and collaborative control beliefs.