The Positive Power of Negative Thinking

by Julie K. Norem and Julie Norem

Book Overview

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. Drawing on her own research and many...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0465051391
• ISBN13: 9780465051397
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Basic Books
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A Book About The Other Half

What could be more All American than "the power of positive thinking" or "positive mental attitude"? Norman Vincent Peale, Dale Carnegie and Napoleon Hill sold millions of books in the twentieth century, and inspirational self-help books about happiness are a big trend today. So it may surprise many people that Dr. Martin Seligman, author of Authentic Happiness, is just quoted in Time magazine saying that about half of us have the genetic predisposition that gives the pleasant state of simply feeling happy, and the other half of us do not. That other half has the tendency to experience anxiety, worry, and negativity more often, and perhaps more easily, than pleasantly happy feelings. A similar point is made by Dr. Lykken in his book about happiness. This research makes sense to me, in that it seems a sensible scientific generalization that also fits with my own life experiences with a variety of people. So my reading of Dr. Norem's book "The Positive Power of Negative Thinking" is that it is a book for the 'other half' -- those who often tend toward the negative -- as well as a book that explains pessimists and optimists to each other.The idea of 'defensive pessimism' according to the author, is that it is "a strategy that can help anxious people harness their anxiety so that it works for rather than against them." That seems like a good thing to me -- adaptive and constructive -- since research shows that positive thinking exercises don't help everyone, and sometimes make things worse. Some people need a different strategy to be at their best. Being a defensive pessimist seems a lot better than being a depressed, hopeless pessimist, and it may be more natural for some people than unsuccessfully trying to be a "Don't Worry, Be Happy" optimist. Personally, I score near the middle of the optimism--pessimism test in the book, so reading it has helped me to understand people I know who are at opposite ends, better than I did before. The main point I got out of it is that the decision to be made is not "Is the glass half full or half empty?" but "Which half of people do you or the person you are dealing with belong to -- the optimistic or the pessimistic?" because different things seem to work best for different people. That is a new perspective that I find informative and useful, so I am positive toward this book about negativity.

Constructive Thinking about Worry, Anxiety, Depression, Life

I enjoyed reading this book, with its fascinating personality test for individual differences in optimism -- pessimism and its interesting case histories. PPNT is also the most helpful psychology book I have read in a long time -- new insight into myself, people I know, and how we do (or don't) get along. The author's idea of "constructive pessimism" as an adaptive cognitive strategy for feeling better and living better is a great contribution to the psychology of everyday life. Not everyone has an optimistic temperament, and many of us struggle with worry, anxiety, and/or depression. Dr. Norem's book has helpful insights into thoughts, feelings, and real life.

The Key to Individual Differences and Constructive Pessimism

I saw this book discussed in the New York Times last Sunday, and that reminded me it had been covered in the Times' Magazine review of the most influential ideas of the year 2001. I agree that this is an important book in psychology -- the insight that individuals differ in optimism and pessimism, and in whether or not simple approaches to "positive thinking" will or will not be helpful to them, is a significant breakthrough. What, me worry? Yes, I do tend to worry about possible negative outcomes and events. For me, this book improved my life because "The Positive Power of Negative Thinking" explains 'constructive pessimism' and how to enjoy a more adaptive and productive life in spite of normal anxiety. The personality quiz in the book helps you to understand yourself and people you know, and how best to relate to different types of people. I do wish optimists would read this book too -- the case studies in each chapter help optimists and pessimists to understand each other better and even to appreciate each other. The author identifies herself as a personality psychologist, and she does a great job of showing how understanding individual differences in personality is the foundation for authentic happiness.

Helpful New Approach to Individual Differences

The psychologist who wrote this book developed and validated a new measure of individual differences in personality: The Defensive Pessimism Questionnaire. The key is the different strategies that individuals use to manage or harness anxiety, moods, and motivations (adaptively or not). The theme is "No one size fits all people." Are you a defensive pessimist, a hopeless pessimist, a self-handicapper, a strategic optimist, or an unrealistic optimist? How do these different types of people get along at work, in love, as family and friends, or at play? Drawing on original psychological research conducted 1985-2001, Professor Norem helps us answer these questions about personality and individual differences. I really liked the way the concluding chapter talks about prospects for change and growth, with a focus on tolerant understanding of self and others, and on optimal psychological health for different individuals. For people like me who value diversity and growth, The Positive Power of Negative Thinking is an impressively helpful contribution. I suppose this book is a bit controversial in the way it challenges the "everyone should be an optimist" chant of the American 'positive psychology movement' but that is what makes the book so creative and original. I find the author's realistic approach to recognizing and valuing individual differences to be insightful and even liberating.

The Positive Side of Pessimism!

In this engaging and intriguing book, Julie Norem tells how to make your pessimism work for you. She explains why some people have a personality style called "defensive pessimism", how this coping strategy works well for them, and why it should be seen in a positive light. A psychologist who has done extensive research in this area, Norem gives many case examples and research findings which illustrate and demonstrate how pessimism can be a legitimate and constructive approach to life. As a lifelong pessimist who has never been able to follow the constant advice to "look on the bright side", Norem's book along with psychologist Barbara Held's excellent and complimentary book, "Stop Smiling, Start Kvetching: A 5-Step Guide to Creative Complaining", have taught me I don't have to continue trying to suppress or stamp out my pessimism. Rather, I can now embrace it and use it constructively. These books have also helped me see the legitimacy of my pessimism and explain its merits to those who are constantly telling me to be more positive or to have a nice day. I'll be giving both books to fellow pessimists and oppressive optimists for Christmas!