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Concurrently examining unrealistic absolute and comparative optimism: Temporal shifts, individual‐difference and event‐specific correlates, and behavioural outcomes
Author(s) -
Ruthig Joelle C.,
Gamblin Bradlee W.,
Jones Kelly,
Vanderzanden Karen,
Kehn Andre
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
british journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.536
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8295
pISSN - 0007-1269
DOI - 10.1111/bjop.12180
Subject(s) - optimism , optimal distinctiveness theory , psychology , context (archaeology) , social psychology , perception , event (particle physics) , cognitive psychology , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , biology
Researchers have spent considerable effort examining unrealistic absolute optimism and unrealistic comparative optimism, yet there is a lack of research exploring them concurrently. This longitudinal study repeatedly assessed unrealistic absolute and comparative optimism within a performance context over several months to identify the degree to which they shift as a function of proximity to performance and performance feedback, their associations with global individual difference and event‐specific factors, and their link to subsequent behavioural outcomes. Results showed similar shifts in unrealistic absolute and comparative optimism based on proximity to performance and performance feedback. Moreover, increases in both types of unrealistic optimism were associated with better subsequent performance beyond the effect of prior performance. However, several differences were found between the two forms of unrealistic optimism in their associations with global individual difference factors and event‐specific factors, highlighting the distinctiveness of the two constructs.