When you look at a glass with water at the halfway mark, an optimist might say it’s half full, while a pessimist might see it as half empty. Others might point out that the glass is completely filled with atoms of water and air. Interestingly, atoms themselves are mostly empty space, making the glass largely composed of nothing.
Science suggests that our emotional perspectives might not be entirely within our control. Research indicates that genetics play a role in shaping whether we tend to see the world optimistically or pessimistically. For instance, individuals with two long alleles on certain serotonin-related genes are more inclined to focus on positive images, such as someone enjoying ice cream. Conversely, those with a short allele might focus more on negative images, like someone being robbed. Similarly, variations in the oxytocin receptor gene influence outlooks; individuals with two copies of guanine are generally more optimistic and possess higher self-esteem, while those with adenine copies tend to be less positive.
Optimists often enjoy several advantages. They are less likely to be rehospitalized after coronary artery bypass surgery, tend to achieve higher academically, and often have better socioeconomic status. However, they might also overestimate their abilities and underestimate risks. Pessimists, on the other hand, often have a more realistic view of the world. They are cautious in planning for the future and may even live longer. A significant 20-year study found that pessimists manage their finances and health more cautiously, avoiding risky behaviors like smoking and excessive drinking, which can provide them with an edge over optimists.
Interestingly, most people are naturally inclined towards optimism, a phenomenon known as the optimism bias. This bias is present in about 80% of the population, leading us to overestimate the likelihood of positive events and underestimate the chances of negative ones. For example, despite a divorce rate of up to 40%, many couples believe their chances of divorcing are zero. When envisioning the future, we often see it as better than our current situation.
Moreover, we tend to perceive ourselves as more intelligent, sociable, and honest than others. Brain studies reveal that the left hemisphere shows increased activity when imagining positive events, while the right hemisphere’s activity during negative events is less pronounced. This suggests that our brains prefer to filter out negative information and focus on the positive.
Whether you are genetically inclined to see the glass as half empty or half full, your perspective is significant. This notion aligns with the saying that giving is better than receiving, a topic explored further in another discussion on ASAP Thought.
Special thanks to Audible for supporting this episode and offering a free audiobook at audible.com/asap. This week, we recommend “The Wright Brothers,” a book that tells the inspiring story of the brothers who taught the world to fly while maintaining optimism through challenges. You can get a free copy or choose from a wide selection, perfect for when you’re on the go.
Feel free to ask your questions and subscribe for more weekly science videos!
Engage in a debate with your classmates about the extent to which genetics influence our outlook on life. Prepare arguments for both sides, considering scientific evidence and personal experiences. This will help you critically analyze the role of genetics versus environment in shaping optimism and pessimism.
Keep a journal for a week, noting daily events and categorizing them as positive or negative. Reflect on your initial reactions and consider how your perspective might change if you viewed these events through an optimistic or pessimistic lens. This activity will help you become more aware of your inherent biases.
Participate in a workshop where you assess various life scenarios, such as financial investments or health decisions, from both optimistic and pessimistic perspectives. Discuss how each outlook might influence decision-making and outcomes. This will enhance your understanding of the practical implications of optimism and pessimism.
Engage in a simulation that demonstrates how the brain processes positive and negative information. Use available software or apps to visualize brain activity and discuss how this relates to the optimism bias. This will provide insight into the neurological basis of our outlooks.
Practice shifting your perspective by intentionally viewing a situation from both an optimistic and pessimistic angle. Share your experiences with peers and discuss how this exercise affects your emotional response and decision-making. This will help you develop flexibility in your thinking.
Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
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The optimist will say that this glass is half full, while the pessimist proclaims it’s half empty. Of course, others may suggest that it’s completely full of all the atoms that make up water and air. Still, others might remind you that atoms are 99.99% empty space, making the glass mostly nothing.
In all seriousness, can science explain your emotional perspective and outlook on life? It turns out it may not be entirely in your control. Research has shown that those with two long alleles on specific genes controlling serotonin are more likely to focus on positive images, like someone enjoying ice cream, compared to those with a short allele on the same gene, who are more likely to focus on negative images, like someone being robbed. Variation in the oxytocin receptor gene can also affect your outlook. Individuals with two copies of guanine are noted to be more optimistic with higher self-esteem, while those with copies of adenine tend to be less positive. It seems that people may be genetically susceptible to pessimism.
Interestingly, optimists are less likely to be rehospitalized after coronary artery bypass surgery, show higher academic achievements, and even better socioeconomic status. However, they can also overestimate their abilities and underestimate risks. Pessimists, on the other hand, have a more realistic view of the world, are more cautious when planning for the future, and may even live longer. A landmark study spanning 20 years found that pessimists use a cautious approach to their finances and health, avoiding risky behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking, ultimately giving them an advantage over optimists.
Statistically, most of us are hardwired to lean towards optimism, known as the optimism bias, which is found in around 80% of the population. We tend to overestimate the probability of positive events occurring in the future while grossly underestimating the probability of negative ones. For example, even though the divorce rate can be as high as 40%, most couples predict their probability of getting divorced at 0%. Chances are, when you imagine your future, it’s usually better than your current situation.
Furthermore, we often imagine ourselves as being more intelligent, sociable, and honest than other people. When we look at the brain, we see that the left half exhibits increased activity when imagining positive events, whereas during negative events, the right half’s activity does increase but to a much lesser degree. This suggests that the brain chooses to ignore and filter out negative information and focus on positivity.
Our perspective, whether you’re genetically predisposed to see the glass as half empty or half full, is important.
This actually reminds us of another common saying: that giving is better than receiving. But is that scientifically accurate? We answered that one over on ASAP Thought with a special giveaway, which you can check out through the link in the description.
Special thanks to Audible for supporting this episode and offering you a free audiobook of your choice at audible.com/asap. This week, we wanted to recommend the book “The Wright Brothers,” which tells the amazing story behind the brothers who taught the world how to fly while staying optimistic through all the challenges they faced. You can get a free copy at audible.com/asap or choose from a massive selection. We love them as they’re great for when you’re on the go.
Don’t forget to ask your burning questions and subscribe for more weekly science videos!
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This version removes any informal language and maintains a professional tone while preserving the original message.
Glass – A non-crystalline, often transparent, solid material used in scientific instruments and laboratory settings. – The microscope’s glass lenses were crucial for observing the cellular structures in detail.
Optimism – A mental attitude characterized by hope and confidence in success and a positive future. – In psychology, optimism is often linked to better stress management and overall mental health.
Pessimism – A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen. – Pessimism can negatively impact mental health, leading to increased anxiety and depression.
Genetics – The study of heredity and the variation of inherited characteristics. – Recent advancements in genetics have allowed scientists to better understand the role of DNA in disease development.
Serotonin – A neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness. – Low levels of serotonin are often associated with depression and anxiety disorders.
Oxytocin – A hormone and neurotransmitter that plays a role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, and childbirth. – Research has shown that oxytocin can enhance trust and empathy in social interactions.
Perspective – A particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view. – In cognitive psychology, perspective-taking is crucial for understanding others’ thoughts and emotions.
Bias – A systematic deviation from rationality in judgment or decision-making. – Cognitive bias can affect scientific research, leading to skewed results if not properly controlled.
Behavior – The actions or reactions of an organism, often in relation to the environment. – Behavioral psychology studies how environmental factors influence human behavior.
Health – The state of being free from illness or injury, encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being. – Public health initiatives aim to improve the overall health of communities through education and preventive measures.
