Optimism configuration. experiences and explanatory styles

A person's level of optimism is not a static trait. Rather, it is molded and configured through a complex interaction between accumulated experiences and the particular way in which each individual interprets the causes and consequences of the events of his or her life.

These "explanatory styles" are patterns of thinking that can be learned and modified.

The Weight of Past Experiences

Lived experiences, especially those with a strong emotional charge, can considerably influence a person's tendency towards optimism or pessimism.

For example, if someone has tried to undertake a project and experienced significant failure, he or she is likely to develop a more cautious or even pessimistic outlook on future similar opportunities, anticipating difficulties based on that previous experience.

Similarly, a bad experience in previous interpersonal relationships, such as a betrayal or a painful breakup, can condition the view on new relationships, generating distrust or fear and, therefore, a less optimistic attitude.

Recognizing the impact of these antecedents is essential to prevent them from inflexibly determining future expectations and to be open to the possibility of different outcomes.

Explanatory Styles and their Influence

The way in which a person explains to himself the causes of events, both positive and negative, is a determining factor in his level of optimism.

Se han identificado tres dimensiones clave en estos estilos explicativos que marcan la diferencia entre una perspectiva optimista y una pesimista:

• Personalization" refers to the degree to which the individual attributes responsibility for what happened. A tendency to blame oneself excessively for adverse events, considering them to be the result of internal failures, fosters pessimism.

• Permanence" refers to the perception of the duration of the causes or consequences of an event. Believing that negative situations will last forever or that their effects are unalterable is characteristic of pessimism.

• Penetration" (or persistence, referring to the extent of the impact) indicates the extent to which an event or its explanation will affect other aspects of life. To think that a problem in one area will have a negative impact on all other areas is a pessimistic view.

An optimistic explanatory style, on the other hand, tends to see problems as external (not always one's own fault), temporary (they will pass) and specific (they will not affect one's whole life), which fosters a more resilient and hopeful attitude.