I’ve received some excellent feedback on the issue of whether Optimists are born, made, or both (see yesterday’s post). First Lisa Haneberg weighed in with her post on Management Craft -here’s a snippet:
“I don’t know if optimists are born or made, but do think they are fully baked by puberty. Perhaps it’s the combination of genetics and early childhood, but I think our basic style – including whether we are optimistic or pessimistic – comes together by middle school.
So does that mean that pessimistic adults cannot change? I think anyone can change. I doubt, however, that many pessimistic adults will be motivated to change. Our style is our style and we get pretty comfortable with it…………..so, my vote is that genetics and childhood together determine our approach”
There have also been some great comments, excerpted below:
Tina started with a suggestion:
“After you read “Exuberance,” you might like to follow up with “Learned Optimism” by Martin Seligman. Seligman concurs that optimists are born, but he contends that we can practice optimistic behaviors and increase our optimism.”
Next, Larry Hendrick had this take:
“I have met many that “seem” naturally upbeat, but I also know some that have learned new habits and moved to the positive side. Otherwise, those of us working to change peoples behaviors are in a futile struggle. Hmmm …”
Steve Sherlock put it this way:
“I tend towards environmentalism, that is not so much as what is in your genes but as what is in your life arena. Hence, if your parents were optimistic then you would tend to be. Overall optimism is self reinforcing. If you look for the positive, you will find the positive and then because you found the positive, find more positive.”
Ann Michael leans toward the “born” theory:
” Nature/Nurture at its core. My personal experience is that people are born with certain traits and that we learn to manage them toward desired results. Does natural tendancy change? I don’t think so. BUT, are there strategies and tactics we can employ to counter act our natural tendancies? Absolutely!”
Lastly, Stephanie West Allen makes another reading suggestion:
“I recommend The Mind and the Brain mentioned in the Chicago Sun-Times article. I just finished my second reading of it. The book is excellent.”
Thanks to all of you for adding your insights – I’m most grateful. So, what about you? Let’s keep the conversation going!
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, Terry! Seems that they are both “born” and “made” — since you come with electrical and chemical activity that leans your brain toward and against optimism.
Less is said about the parts that come from our world and the choices we make – and yet these are powerful in determining whether we smile or frown.
Great new research on the frontal lobes shows what practical steps can be taken to lean a day more in the direction of a smile! Count me in!
I’ve suffered from depression/anxiety my entire life. I manage with drugs and therapy and get by fine most of the time, but it’s always conscious battle.
I still fight it every day while raising my daughter in hopes I can do things in her early childhood that help her cope if she is cursed with depression.
I read Seligman’s books and I firmly believe people are just born with it (inherited, pessimism/depression/whatever you want to call it). I do believe after reading a lot, that there is a lot one can do to help someone prone to this condition. LOTS of communication and talking I believe will give people the skills to cope and be quite successful. My condition while growing up was simply treated as “stop whining”. I think my parents loved me more than anyone could, just an unfortunate artifact of the times that people didn’t realize depression is real. It’s not just whining.
It’s funny that health insurance still treats depression as a whiner’s disease when you consider most therapy isn’t covered at the same level of “real” health concerns.
Thanks for the post.
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment Dave (I’m also leaving a comment on your blog). I too am perplexed at the way health insurance treats depression, when it is so plainly obvious that it is a real (and scientifically backed to boot) health issue. All the best.
Thanks, I was hoping you didn’t mind the babbling, I’m just not shy about my depression anymore and sometime just need to belt it out. And, optimism is good but it’s, unfortuantely, not a complete solution for some.