How the Brain Generates the Human Tendency for Optimism
New York University Research News
Study Reveals How the Brain Generates the Human Tendency for Optimism
Wednesday, Oct 24, 2007
A neural network that may generate the human tendency to be optimistic has been identified by researchers at New York University. As humans, we expect to live longer and be more successful than average, and we underestimate our likelihood of getting a divorce or having cancer. The results, reported in the most recent issue of Nature, link the optimism bias to the same brain regions that show irregularities in depression.
The study was conducted by a team of researchers from the laboratory of NYU Professor Elizabeth Phelps. The lead author is Tali Sharot, now a post-doctoral fellow at University College London. ……….
“Our behavioral results suggest that while the past is constrained, the future is open to interpretation, allowing people to distance themselves from possible negative events and move closer toward positive ones,” said Phelps, a professor of psychology and neural science. “Understanding optimism is critical as optimism has been related to physical and mental health. On the other hand, a pessimistic view is correlated with severity of depression symptoms.” [more]
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December 3rd, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Hi ,
This is a good post to be considered since people tend to neglect the effect of mind & brain optimism & the advantages that goes with it. We need to optimise our mind to conserve the useful & efficient thoughts which can only improve our thought process & we should have a positive attitude rather than thinking of something odd & then deepening our thoughts into that which can only bring in depression & nothing else.