Sociology Optimism Negative Thinking & Positive Thinking Discussion
ANSWER
Negative Self-Talk Example: Negative self-talk refers to the habit of engaging in negative, pessimistic thoughts that can impact our emotional well-being. For example, someone might experience the negative self-talk pattern of “catastrophizing.” This involves imagining the worst possible outcome in a situation, blowing things out of proportion, and assuming that things will go terribly wrong. For instance, if someone receives a minor critique at work, they might catastrophize by thinking, “I’m going to get fired now. I’m terrible at my job.”
Positive Thinking Counterexample: To counteract the negative self-talk example of catastrophizing, positive thinking can be employed. For instance, using positive self-talk, a person might reframe the situation by saying, “While this critique is valuable feedback, it doesn’t define my entire performance. I have successfully handled challenges before and can learn from this experience to improve.”
Incorporating Optimism – Sam Berns: Sam Berns was a young man who lived with a rare genetic disorder called progeria, which causes rapid aging. In his Ted Talk, he demonstrated remarkable optimism by focusing on what he could achieve and enjoy despite his condition. He embraced his situation with resilience and humor, always seeking ways to live his life to the fullest. Sam used positive thinking to counteract any feelings of despair or limitation that his condition could have led to. His optimism was evident in his determination to focus on his strengths and celebrate his accomplishments, showcasing that even in the face of adversity, optimism can lead to a life well-lived.
QUESTION
Description
According to the Mayo Clinic, optimism can be described as the belief that good things will happen to you and that negative events are simply temporary setbacks that can be overcome. Your answer to the age-old question is your glass half-empty or half-full can shed light on your tendencies toward optimism or pessimism. Optimistic thinking can be practiced and developed, and is correlated to higher levels of physical and emotional well-being, and the ability to manage stress more effectively.
Please click on the Mayo Clinic web-link located under your Week 6:Required Resources tab and review the material on negative self-talk (filtering, personalizing, polarizing, catastrophizing) and also positive thinking. Next, provide one example of negative self-talk that you have experienced or have observed and then provide one example of positive thinking that can serve to counteract your negative thinking example. Finally watch the Sam Berns Ted Talk (Week 6: Required Resources) and discuss how he incorporated optimism in his life.