I've been wondering for a while if i'd be considered a pessimistic person, If I tend to see the bad in people, but realistically bad is what's more in a person. For example, I don't give people the benefit of the doubt when it comes to moral issues. What do you guys think?
2007-02-18 21:57:28 · 7 answers · asked by Derek B 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
I respect your opinion regarding the nature of man. My teacher in general psychology once told me that the best answer in psychology is "it dpends". That's what I will tell you right now, "it depends". If the person you're judging doesn't deserve any good comments from other people, then let him/her know that. It's not that bad to look at other people's shortcomings or mistakes, but you, yourself, is also a human being. So if you ALWAYS think badly about other people, then you should realize that you're seeing yourself as well in a bad note.
Remember, your comments on other people or how you view them should always depend on what they do or how they act. If they don't deserve such bad opinion, then don't give them that. Your pessimistic if everything, as in even the good ones, is seen as a bad thing. Don't be. Try to chill out and see the good side of things. I know you're not that pessimistic, maybe close to being one. Pessimism is something which you can change. Be better observer and opinion-maker. :)
2007-02-18 22:11:48 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For one to be the other must also feature. Pessimism and optimism are some of the few emotions that highly depend on a communities actions and moral outlook (based on perception not an innate characteristic). I believe that everybody is individually optimistic (otherwise we would not keep trying to better ourselves) but experience can either affirm that optimism (natural) or cause us to veer towards pessimism (unnatural). When there is constant disappointment around you you loose trust and this is common to all irrespective. The longer you remain in such situations the more you come to expect disappointment but that does not necessarily mean you are pessimist. Once beaten twice shy sort of thing. If you believe that change is possible for all and in all and if you keep trying in the face of hardship then I would say you are optimistic bordering on pessimistic (caused by experience).
2007-02-19 07:15:07 · answer #2 · answered by kahahius 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By definition, you are a pessimist. It's more about your perception than any fact. Let's say you lost your wallet with $1000 of cash in it. What would you most expect?
A) Never see the wallet or cash again.
B) The wallet returned, without the cash.
C) The wallet and a portion of the cash returned.
D) The wallet and the cash returned completely in tact.
Now, what would you do if you were the finder of the wallet?
All of these are possible. D) actually happened to me. It was only $50, but I was elated nonetheless. Does this affect your perception in any way?
Not that I'm an optimist either, but my mom always told me "Seek and ye shall find". (And yeah, it's from the Bible, I know!) If you are always looking for the bad in people, you are sure to find it.
Maybe turn your critical spirit into an observational one. That way you can hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
2007-02-19 06:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by mithril 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people have some good and some bad. No one is all good. Are you a pessimist if you see the bad in people? Maybe not; I think it depends on whether you constantly focus on the bad. Have you been wronged somewhere along the line? That can sometimes lead to feeling suspicious about people.
2007-02-19 06:11:55 · answer #4 · answered by Gee Wye 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are more good people than bad so generally being in the good means that you are treated back the same way plus you should give people the benefit of the doubt, chosing the path of good remains to this day a good option but the more people who drift to the path of evil the worse this world will become, vote 4 me please
2007-02-19 06:02:45 · answer #5 · answered by keir 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No-one is perfect, but on the flip side, no-one is 100% evil either.
You can see either one, depending on which you want.
But there are some people more good than evil or vice versa.
Hopefully, you will look for someone with a high good to evil ratio.
2007-02-19 06:35:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't trust anyone anymore. Always think redundancy as well.
2007-02-19 06:05:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋