Comments on: “Learned Optimism” by Martin Seligman http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/ C#, .NET, Ruby, Rails, book reviews, mind hacks, Wing Chun and the occasional personal bit. Sun, 15 Jan 2012 14:28:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Dr. Marty Seligman « http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-33556 Dr. Marty Seligman « Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:18:50 +0000 http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-33556 [...] depression in dogs that he termed learned helplessness  He moved his research to findings such as learned optimism. I would ask Dr. Seligman questions about his findings on learned [...] [...] depression in dogs that he termed learned helplessness  He moved his research to findings such as learned optimism. I would ask Dr. Seligman questions about his findings on learned [...]

]]> By: Matthew Leitch http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-27104 Matthew Leitch Mon, 11 Oct 2010 09:34:57 +0000 http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-27104 The part of 'Learned Optimism' that seems a problem is that the concern is with getting a happy view of life rather than establishing the truth. For example, if something goes wrong and you attribute it to a general, persistent problem then that's only wrong if in fact the real cause is narrow and temporary. If the real cause is general and persistent then that is how one should see it. My work is in the field of 'risk management' and I've written two books on the subject. After thinking about this problem for some time I came to realise that there's more to it than just the single dimension of 'optimism-realism-pessimism'. I wrote about this in an article called "Optimism, Pessimism, and Open-Minded Realism" available here http://www.managedluck.co.uk/objectivist/index.shtml The part of 'Learned Optimism' that seems a problem is that the concern is with getting a happy view of life rather than establishing the truth. For example, if something goes wrong and you attribute it to a general, persistent problem then that's only wrong if in fact the real cause is narrow and temporary. If the real cause is general and persistent then that is how one should see it.

My work is in the field of 'risk management' and I've written two books on the subject. After thinking about this problem for some time I came to realise that there's more to it than just the single dimension of 'optimism-realism-pessimism'.

I wrote about this in an article called "Optimism, Pessimism, and Open-Minded Realism" available here http://www.managedluck.co.uk/objectivist/index.shtml

]]> By: Jack Ukleja http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-12986 Jack Ukleja Wed, 05 Aug 2009 00:02:43 +0000 http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-12986 Good Review! I think the learned helplessness experiment was something of a eureka moment of me. I see a direct analogy between dogs not escaping from pain and many work place scenarios... scenarios that lead to depression! :) Corporate culture is particularly challenging in this regard... the individual can see so many problems but due to the in-agility/momentum of a large corporation, you often cannot affect change no matter how hard you try. Guess what the result is when you see no effect from repeated attempts? You become that dog in the cage that gives up, despite the stimulus (work place problems). You may recognize these people as the workplace cynic. Given that you can't stop the pain, it makes sense to jump out of the cage that this point (get a new job!). Problem is the physiological damage of such a scenario actually limits an individuals ability to step back and see external opportunities etc. Good Review!

I think the learned helplessness experiment was something of a eureka moment of me. I see a direct analogy between dogs not escaping from pain and many work place scenarios... scenarios that lead to depression! :)

Corporate culture is particularly challenging in this regard... the individual can see so many problems but due to the in-agility/momentum of a large corporation, you often cannot affect change no matter how hard you try. Guess what the result is when you see no effect from repeated attempts? You become that dog in the cage that gives up, despite the stimulus (work place problems). You may recognize these people as the workplace cynic.

Given that you can't stop the pain, it makes sense to jump out of the cage that this point (get a new job!). Problem is the physiological damage of such a scenario actually limits an individuals ability to step back and see external opportunities etc.

]]> By: Ryan Walker http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-12964 Ryan Walker Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:42:41 +0000 http://jamescrisp.org/2009/08/03/learned-optimism-by-martin-seligman/#comment-12964 Thanks for sharing. A friend who works in the life coaching area mentioned Seligman recently and I completed his VIA Survey of Character Strengths and found it valuable. You might also like it. <a href="http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx" rel="nofollow"> http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx</a> And here is a link that suggest activities that use your signature strengths in everyday life, which can improve life satisfaction. <a href="http://www.viacharacter.org/?TabId=132" rel="nofollow">http://www.viacharacter.org/?TabId=132</a> Thanks for sharing.

A friend who works in the life coaching area mentioned Seligman recently and I completed his VIA Survey of Character Strengths and found it valuable. You might also like it. http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/Default.aspx

And here is a link that suggest activities that use your signature strengths in everyday life, which can improve life satisfaction. http://www.viacharacter.org/?TabId=132

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