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221. Why Are We So Pessimistic?

2024/11/24

No Stupid Questions

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Angela Duckworth

Michael Davis

Mike Mahn

Topics

Angela Duckworth: 本期节目探讨了社会悲观情绪日益增长的现象，并从积极心理学角度分析了其成因和应对策略。研究表明，悲观情绪与个体对自身控制力的认知以及对社会整体的无力感有关。媒体对负面新闻的过度关注也加剧了这种情绪。同时，历史数据表明，尽管社会整体在进步，但人们的悲观情绪却在上升，这可能与人们对社会结构和不公的集体认知有关。为了应对这种现象，我们需要为人们创造更多能够取得小胜利的机会，增强他们的能动性和乐观情绪，从小事做起，从自身社区和家庭入手，逐步改变世界。 Mike Mahn: 从媒体角度来看，一些新闻媒体为了吸引眼球和广告收入，会故意夸大冲突和负面新闻，从而加剧人们的悲观情绪。数据分析也显示，从20世纪60年代开始，一些主流媒体的报道就越来越负面。此外，个体乐观或悲观与对社会整体的看法可能相互影响。例如，对经济前景的悲观可能会影响个人对自身未来的预期。米歇尔·奥巴马建议，年轻人应该从小事做起，从自身社区和家庭入手，逐步改变世界。 David Brooks: 如今人们通过反对社会主流结构来定义自身认同，悲观主义成为了一种群体归属感和团结的象征，这导致了社会悲观情绪的蔓延。 Kalev Leetaru: 数据分析显示，从20世纪60年代开始，纽约时报的报道就越来越负面，这反映了社会情绪的变化。 Martin Seligman: 积极心理学之父马丁·塞利格曼本人就是一个终身悲观主义者，但他对悲观和乐观的研究为我们理解这两种情绪提供了新的视角。悲观主义的核心在于缺乏对自身控制力的信念。 Steven Pinker: 尽管人们普遍感到悲观，但客观数据显示世界正在变得更好，例如全球预期寿命、极端贫困人口比例和儿童死亡率都在下降。 Jean Twenge: 研究表明，千禧年以来，特别是Z世代，悲观情绪呈上升趋势。 Michelle Obama: 建议年轻人从小事做起，从自身社区和家庭入手，逐步改变世界。 Albert Bandura: 自我效能感是推动个人前进的重要因素。 Steven Maier: 与塞利格曼合作研究发现，在不可避免的负面事件面前，动物会习得一种无力感，从而变得悲观。 Edward Zigler: 研究表明，通过在智力测试中设计一些简单的题目来让儿童获得早期成功，可以显著提高他们的测试成绩和学习动机。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Why is society becoming more pessimistic?

Society is becoming more pessimistic due to factors like the rise of conflict entrepreneurs in media, who profit from driving conflict and negativity, and the increasing trend of negative sentiment in news coverage since the 1960s. Additionally, Gen Z, in particular, is showing higher levels of pessimism, possibly due to feelings of helplessness about societal issues like the economy or housing.

What is the role of media in driving pessimism?

Media plays a significant role in driving pessimism by focusing on conflict and negativity, which attracts attention and increases ad revenue. Data shows that news coverage has become progressively more negative since the 1960s, contributing to a broader societal sense of pessimism.

What is the origin of the concept of learned helplessness?

The concept of learned helplessness originated from experiments by Martin Seligman and Steven Maier, where they observed dogs in controlled environments. Dogs that could not escape shocks became pessimistic, while those that could control the shocks learned agency, highlighting the importance of controllability in shaping optimism or pessimism.

How does Martin Seligman define optimism and pessimism?

Martin Seligman defines optimism as the belief that one can control future outcomes and achieve goals, while pessimism is the belief that one cannot control or influence future events. This definition emphasizes agency as a key factor in determining optimism or pessimism.

What evidence supports the idea that the world is improving?

Evidence supporting the improvement of the world includes global life expectancy rising from 30 years in the early 19th century to over 70 years today, extreme poverty dropping from 90% to less than 10%, and child mortality decreasing from 43% to 4% by 2015. These statistics, supported by researchers like Steven Pinker, suggest that objectively, the world is becoming better.

Why do people feel pessimistic despite global progress?

People feel pessimistic despite global progress because they often define their identity by resisting perceived societal structures, leading to a shared belief that society is broken. This collective sense of oppression and helplessness, especially in political divides, creates a culture of pessimism as a membership badge.

What is the role of small wins in building optimism?

Small wins play a crucial role in building optimism by providing evidence of success and agency. Mastery experiences, or achieving small goals, help individuals feel more in control and capable, which can counteract feelings of helplessness and pessimism.

How can society help Gen Z feel more optimistic?

Society can help Gen Z feel more optimistic by creating opportunities for small wins and manageable challenges. By allowing young people to experience tangible successes and see the impact of their efforts, they can build a sense of agency and optimism about their future and the world.

What is the significance of Upworthy in the context of optimism?

Upworthy is significant in the context of optimism because it highlights positive stories that inspire and uplift. These stories of real people achieving small wins and making a difference can serve as examples of how optimism and agency can be cultivated in individuals and communities.

Shownotes Transcript

Are things really as bad as they seem? Has Gen Z given up hope for the world? And why was the father of positive psychology a lifelong pessimist?

SOURCES:
Albert Bandura), professor of psychology at Stanford University.
David Brooks), author and opinion columnist*. *
Andrew Grove), former C.E.O. and chairman of Intel Corporation.
Kalev Leetaru), founder of the GDELT Project.
Steven Maier), professor of behavioral neuroscience at the University of Colorado Boulder.
Michelle Obama), attorney, author, and former first lady of the United States.
Steven Pinker), professor of psychology at Harvard University.
Amanda Ripley), journalist and author.
Martin Seligman), professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania.
Jean Twenge), professor of psychology at San Diego State University.
Edward Zigler), professor emeritus of psychology at Yale University.
RESOURCES:
"Chicken Littles Are Ruining America)," by David Brooks (*The Atlantic, *2024).
Generations)*, *by Jean Twenge (2023).
Enlightenment Now)*, *by Steven Pinker (2018).
"The Short History of Global Living Conditions and Why It Matters That We Know It)," by Max Roser (*Our World in Data, *2016).
"Learned Helplessness at Fifty: Insights from Neuroscience)," by Steven F. Maier and Martin E. P. Seligman (*Psychological Review, *2016).
"Short- and Long-Term Consequences of Stressor Controllability in Adolescent Rats)," by Kenneth H. Kubala, John P. Christianson, Steven F. Maier, et al. (*Behavioural Brain Research, *2012).
The Better Angels of Our Nature)*, *by Steven Pinker (2011).
"Forecasting Large-Scale Human Behavior Using Global News Media Tone in Time and Space)," by Kalev Leetaru (*First Monday, *2011).
"Motivational Aspects of Changes in IQ Test Performance of Culturally Deprived Nursery School Children)," by Edward Zigler and Earl C. Butterfield (*Child Development, *1968).
"Failure to Escape Traumatic Shock)," by Martin E. P. Seligman and Steven F. Maier (*Journal of Experimental Psychology, *1967).
Upworthy).
EXTRAS:
"Why Is U.S. Media So Negative?)" by *Freakonomics Radio *(2021).

221. Why Are We So Pessimistic? 39:21 Share