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Review
. 2017 Apr:50:3-11.
doi: 10.1016/j.concog.2016.10.005. Epub 2016 Nov 1.

What is unrealistic optimism?

Anneli Jefferson  1 , Lisa Bortolotti  2 , Bojana Kuzmanovic  3
Affiliations
Review

What is unrealistic optimism?

Anneli Jefferson et al. Conscious Cogn. 2017 Apr.

Abstract

Here we consider the nature of unrealistic optimism and other related positive illusions. We are interested in whether cognitive states that are unrealistically optimistic are belief states, whether they are false, and whether they are epistemically irrational. We also ask to what extent unrealistically optimistic cognitive states are fixed. Based on the classic and recent empirical literature on unrealistic optimism, we offer some preliminary answers to these questions, thereby laying the foundations for answering further questions about unrealistic optimism, such as whether it has biological, psychological, or epistemic benefits.

Keywords: Belief update; Irrationality; Optimism bias; Positive illusions; Unrealistic optimism.

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References

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