Optimism & pessimism: implications for theory, research, and practice

Foreword / Lisa Miller, P. Scott Richards and Roger R. Keller

Introduction: Optimism and Pessimism and Moving Beyond the Most Fundamental Question

Pt. I. Philosophical, Historical, and Conceptual Foundations

Ch. 1. Optimism and Pessimism From a Historical Perspective / Brian Domino and Daniel W. Conway

Ch. 2. Optimism, Pessimism, and Self-Regulation / Charles S. Carver and Michael F. Scheier

Ch. 3. Optimism, Pessimism, and Explanatory Style / Jane E. Gillham, Andrew J. Shatte and Karen J. Reivich / [et al.]

Ch. 4. Defensive Pessimism, Optimism, and Pessimism / Julie K. Norem

Ch. 5. Optimism and Hope Constructs: Variants on a Positive Expectancy Theme / C. R. Snyder, Susie C. Sympson and Scott T. Michael / [et al.]

Pt. II. Physical-Biological Factors

Ch. 6. Optimism and Physical Well-Being / Christopher Peterson and Lisa M. Bossio

Ch. 7. Optimism, Pessimism, and Daily Life With Chronic Illness / Glenn Affleck, Howard Tennen and Andrea Apter

Ch. 8. Optimism and Pessimism: Biological Foundations / Marvin Zuckerman

Pt. III. Psychological Factors

Ch. 9. Optimism, Pessimism, and Psychological Well-Being / Michael F. Scheier, Charles S. Carver and Michael W. Bridges

Ch. 10. Understanding How Optimism Works: An Examination of Optimists' Adaptive Moderation of Belief and Behavior / Lisa G. Aspinwall, Linda Richter and Richard R. Hoffman III

Ch. 11. Great Expectations: Optimism and Pessimism in Achievement Settings / Jonathon D. Brown and Margaret A. Marshall

Pt. IV. Social-Cultural Factors

Ch. 12. Cultural Influences on Optimism and Pessimism: Differences in Western and Eastern Construals of the Self / Edward C. Chang

Ch. 13. Optimism-Pessimism Instrument: Personal and Social Correlates / William N. Dember

Pt. V. Changes and Treatment

Ch. 14. Building Optimism and Preventing Depressive Symptoms in Children / Jane E. Gillham, Karen J. Reivich and Andrew J. Shatte

Ch. 15. Optimism, Pessimism, and Psychotherapy: Implications for Clinical Practice / James L. Pretzer and Chaille A. Walsh

Pt. VI. Future

Ch. 16. Very Full Glass: Adding Complexity to Our Thinking About the Implications and Applications of Optimism and Pessimism Research / Julie K. Norem and Edward C. Chang.