Monday, September 30, 2013
Optimistic explanatory style
Explanatory style is a psychological attribute that indicates how people explain to themselves why they experience a particular event - either positive or negative.
Researchers have identified three components that make up an explanatory style:
When a person encounters a negative event do they
(1) explain where the cause of the event arises - internally or externally? That is have they internalised the cause of the event or see the cause as being outside of themselves
(2)see the extent of the event as stable or unstable? That is, is the situation seen as unchangeable or something that will change in the near future?
(3) see the extent of the event affecting their lives globally or locally/specifically. That is "I can't do anything right" as opposed to "my co-worker doesn't like what I do but I have many other friends and co-workers who appreciate me".
A pessimistic explanatory style is said to be adopted by people who generally tend to blame themselves for negative events, believe that such events will continue indefinitely and let such events affect many aspects of their lives.
On the flip side, people who generally tend to blame others for negative events, believe that such events will end soon, and do not let such events affect too many aspects of their lives display what is called an optimistic explanatory style.
A person does not necessarily show a uniform explanatory style in all aspects of their life, but may be more pessimistic or optimistic responding to different types of events.
Importantly, there is evidence that an optimistic explanatory style can be taught and adopted when it is low or absent. Watch this space for more research and interventions in this area.
Researchers have identified three components that make up an explanatory style:
When a person encounters a negative event do they
(1) explain where the cause of the event arises - internally or externally? That is have they internalised the cause of the event or see the cause as being outside of themselves
(2)see the extent of the event as stable or unstable? That is, is the situation seen as unchangeable or something that will change in the near future?
(3) see the extent of the event affecting their lives globally or locally/specifically. That is "I can't do anything right" as opposed to "my co-worker doesn't like what I do but I have many other friends and co-workers who appreciate me".
A pessimistic explanatory style is said to be adopted by people who generally tend to blame themselves for negative events, believe that such events will continue indefinitely and let such events affect many aspects of their lives.
On the flip side, people who generally tend to blame others for negative events, believe that such events will end soon, and do not let such events affect too many aspects of their lives display what is called an optimistic explanatory style.
A person does not necessarily show a uniform explanatory style in all aspects of their life, but may be more pessimistic or optimistic responding to different types of events.
Importantly, there is evidence that an optimistic explanatory style can be taught and adopted when it is low or absent. Watch this space for more research and interventions in this area.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Thriving is....
Overcoming procrastination. Or as Richard Branson summed it up "Screw it. Just get on and do it".
Friday, September 27, 2013
'Dare. Dream. Do' Part One
A book review - 'Dare. Dream. Do'. by Whitney Johnson.
I love books. I always have. Ever since I read my first Enid Blyton book.
My tastes have changed since then. Once my cherubs came along my concentration span has become shorter at night. I only seem to get one chapter read (max) before I fall asleep.
Yesterday I took the cherubs to the library and on the front display shelf was 'Dare. Dream. Do'.
Traditionally I have devoured 'self-help' classics like an ice-cream on a hot day. But lately my desire to read them has become jaded. For some reason however I decided to give it one more try and quickly checked-out Whitney's new book.
Admittedly I am only a few chapters in, which seems a little early to write a review, BUT I have picked up on a really strong idea that I have never thought of before.
You need to develop your own voice.
I think this is especially easy for men to do. And sometimes especially hard for women to do.
Having a voice, to me, means expressing your honest and open view about something. To know where you stand, and to voice that stance. To learn, listen and really take the time to think about your response, your view, and how it really effects you. To not put others' views before yours, or adopt something because you are too busy looking after everyone else to take the time to think about it for yourself, to sense deep-down how right it feels for you.
Thanks Whitney, you have really given me something to think about.
I love books. I always have. Ever since I read my first Enid Blyton book.
My tastes have changed since then. Once my cherubs came along my concentration span has become shorter at night. I only seem to get one chapter read (max) before I fall asleep.
Yesterday I took the cherubs to the library and on the front display shelf was 'Dare. Dream. Do'.
Traditionally I have devoured 'self-help' classics like an ice-cream on a hot day. But lately my desire to read them has become jaded. For some reason however I decided to give it one more try and quickly checked-out Whitney's new book.
Admittedly I am only a few chapters in, which seems a little early to write a review, BUT I have picked up on a really strong idea that I have never thought of before.
You need to develop your own voice.
I think this is especially easy for men to do. And sometimes especially hard for women to do.
Having a voice, to me, means expressing your honest and open view about something. To know where you stand, and to voice that stance. To learn, listen and really take the time to think about your response, your view, and how it really effects you. To not put others' views before yours, or adopt something because you are too busy looking after everyone else to take the time to think about it for yourself, to sense deep-down how right it feels for you.
Thanks Whitney, you have really given me something to think about.
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