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'Optimism bias' explains why people remain in denial about the coming collapse

Optimism bias
(NaturalNews) Research published in the journal Nature reveals that most humans have what's called a "pervasive optimism bias." In other words, most of us are naturally (and arguably illogically) optimistic about things in life. This is in spite of the fact that the evidence suggests otherwise.


"Humans expect positive events in the future even when there is no evidence to support such expectations," the study found. People also have the tendency to believe that they will live longer and be healthier than the average person. They "overestimate their prospects for success on the job market," as well.

Do our brains naturally project unrealistic optimism?

This sort of thinking of course helps explain people's reluctance to prepare for a catastrophic event, whether that be a natural disaster or an economic collapse.



The optimism bias is "related specifically to enhanced activation in the amygdala and in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex when imagining positive future events relative to negative ones," said researchers.

Human emotions and personal experiences may impact positive perceptions, say scientists

This suggests "a key role for areas involved in monitoring emotional salience in mediating the optimism bias."

Interestingly, they found that these areas of the brain are the same regions that exhibit "irregularities in depression," which scientists say is related to pessimism.

"Across individuals, activity in the rostral anterior cingulate cortex was correlated with trait optimism," the study found. Scientists theorize that the "brain may generate the tendency to engage in the projection of positive future events."


Is pervasive optimism a positive or a negative?

It's difficult to say whether optimism bias in humans is positive or negative. On the one hand, it seems as though positive thinking would allow us to endure difficult times; there's certainly something refreshing about always seeing the good in things.


Either way, more research is needed to better understand the purpose of this tool, as well as to determine whether it's a gift or a hindrance.



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