What Were You Expecting?
In a University of Wisconsin study, scientists found that the brain's expectations of what was about to happen affected its interpretation of what was actually sensed. It really does help to look for the best of things.
In an un-related Pew Research Center study, it's been found that conservatives are happier than liberals. Why? Because their pessimism leads them to expect the worst.
"First, they are rarely surprised -- they are right more often than not about the course of events. Second, when they are wrong, they are happy to be so. Third, because pessimistic conservatives put not their faith in princes -- government -- they accept that happiness is a function of fending for oneself. They believe that happiness is an activity -- it is inseparable from the pursuit of happiness."
Draw from this whatever conclusions you will. 
Blog Tag: Opinion
Posted 2/25/2006 11:47:00 AM
L
On 2/25/2006 9:26 PM, 
Melissa said...
On 2/27/2006 7:55 AM, beajerry said...
On 2/27/2006 10:37 AM, Candace said...
On 2/27/2006 10:44 AM, dkgoodman said...
4 Comments:
I used to be married to someone who's favorite saying was, "The secret to happiness is to lower your expectations." That way you're never disappointed, just pleasantly surprised on occasion.
Interesting studies.
The first one reminds me for some reason of martial arts, or the vigilant training of the mind in order to react to future situations in a disciplined way.
"...their pessimism leads them to expect the worst."
Politics aside, could it be said that pessimists are happier than optimists?
Now, there's something unusual to contemplate.
For me, it's in my blood to B negative.
I've always been somewhat of a pessimist. I'm always wondering how things can fail or go wrong, what the worst-case scenario is. As a result, things pretty much always go as expected, or better than expected.
I've evolved this somewhat. I still wonder how things will go awry, but I also tell myself that the odds are things will go great.
Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. :)
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