The Positive Power of Negative Thinking: Using Defensive Pessimism to Harness Anxiety and Perform at Your Peak

Norem, Julie K.

ISBN 10: 0465051383 / ISBN 13: 9780465051380

Published by Basic Books, 2001

About this Item

Gut/Very good: Buch bzw. Schutzumschlag mit wenigen Gebrauchsspuren an Einband, Schutzumschlag oder Seiten. / Describes a book or dust jacket that does show some signs of wear on either the binding, dust jacket or pages.

Seller Inventory # M00465051383-V

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Positive Power of Negative Thinking: Using Defensive Pessimism to Harness Anxiety and Perform at Your Peak
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Publication Date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0465051383
• ISBN 13: 9780465051380
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: very good

About this title

Synopsis

How often are we urged to "look on the bright side"? From Norman Vincent Peale to the ubiquitous smiley face, optimism has become an essential part of American society. In this long-overdue book, psychologist Julie Norem offers convincing evidence that, for many people, positive thinking is an ineffective strategy-and often an obstacle-for successfully coping with the anxieties and pressures of modern life. "Defensive pessimism," which involves imagining the worst possible outcomes to any action and everything that could go wrong in a given situation, actually helps millions of people manage their anxiety and perform their best work, all the while refusing to succumb to "oblivious optimism."Drawing on her own research and many vivid case histories, Norem shows how to use defensive pessimism and provides evidence and fascinating explanations of its powerful benefits. While there is no "one size fits all" prescription for confronting psychological roadblocks, Defensive Pessimism will help people identify the method that works best for them, and provide practical, proven advice on changing strategies.

About the Author

Julie K. Norem, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Psychology at Wellesley College. She has published many articles on personality and social behavior in psychology journals. Her work on defensive pessimism has been cited in the New York Times, SELF, the Washington Post, Men's Health, McCall's, and American Health. She lives in Wellesley, Massachusetts.