Defensive pessimism is a strategy used by people who are anxious about an upcoming event. They set unrealistically low expectations before going into a situation and take steps to avoid poor performance. Defensive pessimism involves over-preparation.For example, someone preparing for a job interview might convince themselves that the interview is going to be a disaster. The anxiety of this likelihood helps to prepare them for the job interview. The result is that they do exceptionally well.

Defensive Pessimism

<ul><li>Pessimists only expect bad things to happen. And this leads to increased anxiety and decreased perceived goal importance.</li><li>Defensive pessimists tend to reflect about, or plan for, their performance. This leads to increased perceived goal importance, increased levels of effort, hope and personal goal initiative.</li></ul>

Defensive pessimism vs pessimism

When comparing defensive pessimists to anxious people who do not practice defensive pessimism, the defensive pessimists show these benefits:<ul><li>Their self-esteem and satisfaction increase over time.</li><li>They perform better academically </li><li>They form more supportive friendship networks,</li><li>They make more progress in their personal goals.</li></ul>

Benefits of Defensive Pessimism

<ul><li>Research found that defensive pessimists will do best when they can think through possible negative outcomes.</li><li>Strategic optimists will do best when they avoid thinking about possible negative outcomes.</li></ul>Pessimism can have positive effects. If you are an anxious person, try both strategies and see what works best for you.

Defensive pessimism or strategic optimism

Self-handicapping is where an individual will create obstacles for themselves before an ability-evaluating event. If it turned out poorly, the obstacles became an excuse or explanation for the failure. If it turned out positive, the obstacles became conquered hurdles. Self-handicapping involves expecting the worst and self-sabotage.

Self-handicapping

Defensive pessimism is a strategy used by people who are anxious about an upcoming event. While pessimism is often seen as a negative trait, defensive pessimism can be a useful way for someone to harness their anxiety into positive results.

Self-handicapping

Similar ideas to Self-handicapping

Avoid self-sabotage

Sabotaging yourself

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