"Hopeless" (1963) by Roy Lichtenstein
Take the Life Orientation Test at uthrive.info.
When you get the result (0-13 = Low optimism/high pessimism; 14-18 = Moderate optimism; 19-24 = high optimism/low pessimism), comment on whether you think it is accurate or not.
Describe a time when optimism or pessimism has gotten you into trouble.
I received a 15 on the test which I think is decent. I have some pretty pessimistic views on the world as a whole but I have a lot to be thankful for in my life and I'm very content with it and I am usually content with it's outcomes. My nihilistic outlook on the world has bummed others out when we discuss it though, which I think takes my friends aback from my usually light hearted self.
ReplyDeleteI received a 16 on the test, which is pretty similar to your score; but I feel like it was for different reasons. I have always felt that things would turn out fine for me in the end, but even if not, I'll just try to roll with the punches. When it comes to looking into my future, however, I try to be as realistic as possible: almost nothing in life goes just like planned, so it's good to be prepared for the worst. I also tend not to let the world as a whole (politics, nature, economy, etc.) affect my outlook for my life. This world always seems to be going steadily downhill, but that doesn't have to affect my life too significantly, right?
DeleteI scored a 14 on the test. I think this is fairly accurate because I can really relate to the optimistic explanatory style described in the book. When things do not turn out the way I want, it can be disappointing, but I also know that is just the way life is. I like to think just because something bad happened or did not turn out the way I wanted does not mean all things are going to be like that. However, sometimes I like to expect things to not go my way so I can minimize disappointment, prepare myself for what to do next, and allow myself to look for other opportunities except just counting on that one. I think I have a balance of optimism and pessimism which is why I scored more in the middle.
ReplyDeleteI scored a 16 on this test and I think that it is accurate. I have always been a very hopeful person and I think about my future constantly. I want the best for myself, my future husband, and my future kids. The way I see it, if I do all the hard work now, my future self will be so proud of me. I believe everything happens for a reason and it will all work out in the end. Reading through the characteristics of an optimist and a pessimist, it made me laugh out loud because of how accurate it was for me. I also am very close to people who I consider pessimists, so it made me laugh even harder when reading about them.
ReplyDeleteOne of the downsides to being optimistic to me is I get let down and I get my feelings hurt easily. I can’t think of a time that optimism has gotten me in trouble, but it definitely has hurt me a little. When thinking every situation will have a positive outcome when it doesn’t, it can be upsetting. Optimists put a lot of energy and time into seeing the good and it can easily be taken advantage of by other people as well, which has also happened to me before.
I got a 14 which I think is reasonable. I think I am a little more optimistic but I think overall it is close. My optimism almost got me in trouble my Junior year of highschool. I just hoped that I could get a good grade in my English class and didn't try very hard. That put me behind and I had to fight back to get an A.
ReplyDeleteI scored a 20 on the test, which I think is very accurate to my personality and overall outlook on life. Even during my lowest times, I am usually realistically optimistic. I think that having a good mentality about any situation is crucial to working through it, but acknowledging the degree of control you have on what's at hand is important as well. If I know that something can't possibly be achieved, I won't delude myself into thinking it will. Instead, I'll figure out another way to accomplish what's needed.
ReplyDeleteI found when I was younger that there is a major difference between realistic optimism and delusional optimism. Oftentimes, I would make the mistake of assuming that certain things were going to happen, because I believed they were the right thing. I convinced myself that nothing wrong could ever occur if I didn't let it. This was a very unstable and generally disappointing mentality, and once I recognized this I was able to shift my toxic optimism to something more grounded!
I got 16, which is fairly reasonable. I feel like a little bit of pessimism can be good, but I also feel like too much can ruin your confidence and energy. I'm trying to become more optimistic, because I used to be super pessimistic.
ReplyDeleteI think it takes a big step to acknowledge that about yourself. I agree with you in that being a bit of a pessimist can be good, but also can have some negative effects.
DeleteI got a 13 on the test, which I think is pretty accurate. I like to expect the worst and hope for the best. Occasionally I can be optimistic however, and it only sometimes works out. For example, I have worked at the same place for 2 years now, and that's longer than any of my coworkers have been there. So eventually I developed a mindset that I couldn't possibly get fired because I've been there for so long. That nearly cost me a raise.
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