weinstein unrealistic optimism future life events 1980

#WEINSTEIN UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM FUTURE LIFE EVENTS 1980 DRIVER#

Second, in some studies, participants are instructed to estimate the likelihood they might experience some adverse event. This procedure, called the direct approach, tends to demonstrate that participants feel they are less likely, on average, to experience adverse events than are other individuals. First, in some studies, participants are explicitly instructed to rate the likelihood they will experience some adverse event, such as a snake bite, relative to other individuals-usually on scales ranging from 'much less likely' to 'much more likely'. Two main approaches are applied to assess optimism bias. Individuals tend to feel they are less vulnerable to environmental degradation and problems, such as air pollution, than peers (Hatfield & Job, 2000). Students tend to overestimate their capacity to pay debts relative to their peers (Seaward & Kemp, 2000).

#WEINSTEIN UNREALISTIC OPTIMISM FUTURE LIFE EVENTS 1980 DRIVER#

Motorists tend to feel they are less likely to be involved in a car accident than is the average driver (Dalziel & Job, 1997). For example, smokers tend to feel they are less likely than other individuals who smoke to be afflicted with lung cancer (Windschitl, 2002 also see Weinstein, Slovic, Gibson, & Waters, 2004). Optimism bias has been uncovered in a vast range of settings. When individuals feel anxious or unconfident, for instance, optimism bias tends to diminish. Research has uncovered several factors that amplify or inhibit the probability that individuals will underestimate some risk. They might not, for example, wear seatbelts. As a consequence of this bias, some individuals might disregard precautions that might curb these risks. Optimism bias, originally referred to as unrealistic optimism (Weinstein, 1980), is the tendency of individuals to underestimate the likelihood they will experience adverse events, such as skin cancer or car accidents.

Weinstein unrealistic optimism future life events 1980